Autistic patients have higher rates of co-morbid somatic symptoms. Thus, compared to the general population, they experience more health-related concerns, such as autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, and autonomic disorders. On average, an autistic patient's life span is 16 years shorter than that of a non-autistic patient. Furthermore, autistic patients are often unable to convey or communicate their somatic symptoms in a clear and comprehensive manner. This leads to a lack of proper health care provided in a timely manner.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
600
No intervention involved
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
Patient health questionnaire-15, PHQ-15
range from 0 to 2 for each item, total score range from 0 to 30. Higher the score, worse the level of somatization
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Health assessment questionnaire, HAQ
range from 0 to 3 for each item. Higher the score, worse the disability
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Beck depression inventory, BDI
range from 0 to 3 for each item. Higher the score, worse the depression
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Beck anxiety inventory
range from 0 to 3 for each item. Total score 0 to 63. Higher the score, worse the anxiety
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ)
a 100-item, true/false psychological test, measures three neurotransmitter-linked personality dimensions: 1. novelty seeking. High scores indicate individuals who are adventurous, easily bored, impulsive, and quick to react to new stimuli. Low Scores indicate individuals who are reflective, rigid, orderly, systematic, and comfortable with routine. 2. harm avoidance. High Scores: Indicates individuals who are cautious, fearful, socially inhibited, and prone to worry or depression.Low Scores: Indicates individuals who are confident, carefree, optimistic, relaxed, and resilient to stress. 3. reward dependence. High Scores: Indicates individuals who are warm, empathetic, socially sensitive, and highly motivated by praise.Low Scores: Indicates individuals who are independent, practical, socially detached, and emotionally self-sufficient.
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
a 26-item survey by the World Health Organization that measures personal well-being across four core domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Scores are scaled from 0 to 100, where higher numbers show a better quality of life.
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Sensory profile
a standardized questionnaire completed by caregivers, teachers, or individuals to evaluate how a person processes everyday sensory information (like touch, sound, and movement). It measures how a person's nervous system responds to sensory inputs and how those responses affect daily life. Results describe an individual in the following four areas: Seeking: Actively searches for extra sensory input (e.g., loves spinning, crashing into things, chewing objects, or loud music). Sensitivity: Detects sensory input very quickly and easily, noticing small details (e.g., easily distracted by background noise or bright lights). Avoiding: Actively tries to escape or prevent sensory input (e.g., covers ears in loud rooms, refuses certain clothing textures, or avoids crowds). Low Registration: Misses or is slow to notice sensory input (e.g., doesn't respond to their name, seems clumsy, or doesn't notice pain/temperatures).
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Social responsiveness scale (SRS)
a 65-item questionnaire that measures the severity of social impairment and autism spectrum-related traits. It evaluates how a person acts in real-life social settings. Higher scores represent greater impairment.
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a 50-item self-report questionnaire used to measure autistic traits in adults and teens. Scores range from 0 to 50. A score of 26 or higher suggests elevated autistic traits, while 32 or higher indicates a strong presence of these traits.
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
Empathy Quotient (EQ)
The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-report questionnaire developed by psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen to measure a person's ability to understand others' thoughts and feel appropriate emotional responses. The standard test has 60 items (40 scored statements and 20 filler questions) spanning cognitive empathy, emotional reactivity, and social skills. Higher scores indicate higher empathy levels.
Time frame: Time of the original assessment (data collected retrospectively from January 1, 2014 to March 21, 2023)
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