About me
Sex Differences in Comorbidities Of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Location: 86
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Durocher
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen significantly over the past decade, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 4:1. ASD is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbid conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). While research has identified these common comorbidities, there is a limited exploration of sex differences in their presentation among individuals with ASD. In our study, we examined the relationship between gender and comorbidities using data from 114 patients at the Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic at the University of Miami who received a diagnosis of ASD. The sample included 82 males (mean age = 39.87 months, SD = 10.37) and 32 females (mean age = 38.91 months, SD = 10.85). The comorbidities investigated were pica, global developmental delay (GDD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), GAD, social anxiety, and three ADHD subtypes (combined, inattentive, and hyperactive). Results showed that GDD and ADHD inattentive type were relatively more prevalent in males, while pica and ADHD combined type were more common in females. This suggests potential gender differences in comorbidities; however, these were not statistically significant. No participants in our sample received diagnoses of ODD, GAD, social anxiety, and ADHD hyperactive type. This is likely due to the young age of the sample, as these comorbidities are less commonly identified in early childhood. Future research should explore older individuals with ASD and include a larger sample size to assess how comorbid conditions differ across sexes. Identifying sex-specific patterns in comorbidities can improve early diagnosis, lead to more personalized therapeutic approaches, and enhance long-term outcomes for individuals with ASD.
