A cross-sectional examination of the clinical significance of autistic traits in individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis

Katharine Chisholm; Mirabel Pelton; Nikita Duncan; Katherine Kidd; Klaas J. Wardenaar; Rachel Upthegrove; Matthew R. Broome; Ashleigh Lin; Stephen J. Wood

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112623

A cross-sectional examination of the clinical significance of autistic traits in individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis

Katharine Chisholm
, Mirabel Pelton
, Nikita Duncan
, Katherine Kidd
, Klaas J. Wardenaar
, Rachel Upthegrove
, Matthew R. Broome
, Ashleigh Lin
, Stephen J. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

151 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Autism traits are found at elevated rates in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, however, there is a lack of evidence regarding potential clinical impact. The current research aimed to examine potential associations between autism traits and symptoms of psychosis, social and role functioning, and quality of life. 99 individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis took part in a cross-sectional interview and self-report questionnaire which assessed current symptoms of psychosis, autism traits, functioning, and quality of life. Participants were found to have a high level of autism traits. Higher autism traits were associated with poorer quality of life, functioning, and current psychotic symptoms. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses indicated that optimal AQ cut-off scores to predict severity of psychosis symptoms, functioning, and quality of life were lower than those used to suggest likely autism-spectrum diagnosis. Results suggest that autism traits are associated with poorer clinical presentation in first-episode psychosis populations, even in those whose traits fall below potentially diagnostic thresholds for autism. Psychosis services should be prepared to adequately address the needs of individuals with higher autism traits.

Original language	English
Article number	112623
Journal	Psychiatry Research
Volume	282
Early online date	18 Oct 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112623
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2019

Funding

We would like to acknowledge the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust Early Intervention Services who aided with the recruitment of this study, and to thank the individuals from the Early Intervention Services who took part in the project as participants. This work was supported by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. AL is supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (#1148793).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Autism traits
Functioning
Quality of life
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychiatry and Mental health
Biological Psychiatry

Access to Document

10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112623

Post-PrintAccepted author manuscript, 1.28 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "A cross-sectional examination of the clinical significance of autistic traits in individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis",

abstract = "Autism traits are found at elevated rates in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, however, there is a lack of evidence regarding potential clinical impact. The current research aimed to examine potential associations between autism traits and symptoms of psychosis, social and role functioning, and quality of life. 99 individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis took part in a cross-sectional interview and self-report questionnaire which assessed current symptoms of psychosis, autism traits, functioning, and quality of life. Participants were found to have a high level of autism traits. Higher autism traits were associated with poorer quality of life, functioning, and current psychotic symptoms. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses indicated that optimal AQ cut-off scores to predict severity of psychosis symptoms, functioning, and quality of life were lower than those used to suggest likely autism-spectrum diagnosis. Results suggest that autism traits are associated with poorer clinical presentation in first-episode psychosis populations, even in those whose traits fall below potentially diagnostic thresholds for autism. Psychosis services should be prepared to adequately address the needs of individuals with higher autism traits.",

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AU - Wardenaar, Klaas J.

AU - Upthegrove, Rachel

AU - Broome, Matthew R.

AU - Lin, Ashleigh

AU - Wood, Stephen J.

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N2 - Autism traits are found at elevated rates in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, however, there is a lack of evidence regarding potential clinical impact. The current research aimed to examine potential associations between autism traits and symptoms of psychosis, social and role functioning, and quality of life. 99 individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis took part in a cross-sectional interview and self-report questionnaire which assessed current symptoms of psychosis, autism traits, functioning, and quality of life. Participants were found to have a high level of autism traits. Higher autism traits were associated with poorer quality of life, functioning, and current psychotic symptoms. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses indicated that optimal AQ cut-off scores to predict severity of psychosis symptoms, functioning, and quality of life were lower than those used to suggest likely autism-spectrum diagnosis. Results suggest that autism traits are associated with poorer clinical presentation in first-episode psychosis populations, even in those whose traits fall below potentially diagnostic thresholds for autism. Psychosis services should be prepared to adequately address the needs of individuals with higher autism traits.

AB - Autism traits are found at elevated rates in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, however, there is a lack of evidence regarding potential clinical impact. The current research aimed to examine potential associations between autism traits and symptoms of psychosis, social and role functioning, and quality of life. 99 individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis took part in a cross-sectional interview and self-report questionnaire which assessed current symptoms of psychosis, autism traits, functioning, and quality of life. Participants were found to have a high level of autism traits. Higher autism traits were associated with poorer quality of life, functioning, and current psychotic symptoms. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses indicated that optimal AQ cut-off scores to predict severity of psychosis symptoms, functioning, and quality of life were lower than those used to suggest likely autism-spectrum diagnosis. Results suggest that autism traits are associated with poorer clinical presentation in first-episode psychosis populations, even in those whose traits fall below potentially diagnostic thresholds for autism. Psychosis services should be prepared to adequately address the needs of individuals with higher autism traits.

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A cross-sectional examination of the clinical significance of autistic traits in individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this