Abstract
Objective: Research into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has recently focused on comorbidities that contribute to deterioration of function and prognosis of patients with ASD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Ichushi, for articles published from 1994 through 2016 regarding prevalence of comorbidities in children and adolescents with ASD. We included 13 psychiatric comorbidities: mental retardation, learning disorders, developmental coordination disorder, attention–deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder/ conduct disorder, tic disorders, elimination disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, gender identity disorders, eating disorders, and sleep disorders. Results: Developmental coordination disorder and sleep disorders were significantly more prevalent as comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with ASD than that in a control group. The comorbid psychiatric disorders which more than half of previous studies reported over 40 % prevalence in patients with ASD are developmental coordination disorder, attention–deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and sleep disorders. Conclusion: This finding provides an important viewpoint from which to plan comprehensive medical treatment for pediatric patients with ASD. Also, it is crucial for early intervention and support to disseminate this information among people at home, school, and other social settings where patients with ASD spend time in daily life.
