Exploring autistic traits in adults with chronic depression : A clinical study

RADTKE, Martina; Denisa WIECZOREKOVÁ; Claus NORMANN; Pavel HUMPOLÍČEK; Eva-Lotta BRAKEMEIER; Emanuel BUBL; Ludger Tebartz VAN ELST a Andreas RIEDEL. Exploring autistic traits in adults with chronic depression : A clinical study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Elsevier Ltd., 2019, roč. 65, č. 9, s. 34-45. ISSN 1750-9467. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.04.006.

Základní údaje

Originální název

Exploring autistic traits in adults with chronic depression : A clinical study

Název česky

Zkoumání autistických rysů u dospělých s chronickou depresí : klinická studie

Autoři

RADTKE, Martina; Denisa WIECZOREKOVÁ; Claus NORMANN; Pavel HUMPOLÍČEK ORCID; Eva-Lotta BRAKEMEIER; Emanuel BUBL; Ludger Tebartz VAN ELST a Andreas RIEDEL

Vydání

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Elsevier Ltd. 2019, 1750-9467

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Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

50102 Psychology, special

Stát vydavatele

Nizozemské království

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 1.688

Kód RIV

RIV/00216224:14210/19:00134849

Organizační jednotka

Filozofická fakulta

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.04.006

UT WoS

000474504900004

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85066267069

Klíčová slova česky

autistické rysy; chronická deprese; autistický fenotyp; poruchy autistického spektra

Klíčová slova anglicky

Autistic traits; Chronic depression; Broader autistic phenotype; Autism spectrum disorder; Autism spectrum quotient; Empathy quotient

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

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Anotace

V originále

Background Chronic depression is characterized by persistent or recurrent depressive symptoms, defined according to DSM criteria, and is associated with lack of empathy; deficits in social perception, interaction, and communication; and social withdrawal. These symptoms are reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders, yet the co-occurrence of autistic traits and chronic depression has been rarely explored. We explored measures of autistic traits in chronically depressed adult patients in order to further define and delineate the overlap of symptoms between chronic depression and autism spectrum disorders. Method Three groups were tested: 31 patients with chronic depression, 27 patients with autism spectrum disorder, and 31 healthy controls. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) were used to measure autistic traits. The severity of depression was measured by Beck’s Depression Inventory. Results The group of chronically depressed patients showed significantly elevated autistic traits according to both AQ and EQ measures. In addition, 48.4% of the patients with chronic depression showed AQ scores within the range of the broader autistic phenotype. Similar scores were found among 3.2% of the healthy controls and 100% of the patients with autism spectrum disorder. Conclusions About half of the chronically depressed patients showed elevated autistic or autism-like traits. It remained unclear whether this was due to the state of chronic depression or a kind of premorbid autistic personality trait. The findings illustrate the need for further research to clarify the possible role of autistic traits in the development of chronic depression. Furthermore, they reveal that it might be clinically useful to focus on autism-like social impairments in therapy for chronic depression.

Česky

Background Chronic depression is characterized by persistent or recurrent depressive symptoms, defined according to DSM criteria, and is associated with lack of empathy; deficits in social perception, interaction, and communication; and social withdrawal. These symptoms are reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders, yet the co-occurrence of autistic traits and chronic depression has been rarely explored. We explored measures of autistic traits in chronically depressed adult patients in order to further define and delineate the overlap of symptoms between chronic depression and autism spectrum disorders. Method Three groups were tested: 31 patients with chronic depression, 27 patients with autism spectrum disorder, and 31 healthy controls. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) were used to measure autistic traits. The severity of depression was measured by Beck’s Depression Inventory. Results The group of chronically depressed patients showed significantly elevated autistic traits according to both AQ and EQ measures. In addition, 48.4% of the patients with chronic depression showed AQ scores within the range of the broader autistic phenotype. Similar scores were found among 3.2% of the healthy controls and 100% of the patients with autism spectrum disorder. Conclusions About half of the chronically depressed patients showed elevated autistic or autism-like traits. It remained unclear whether this was due to the state of chronic depression or a kind of premorbid autistic personality trait. The findings illustrate the need for further research to clarify the possible role of autistic traits in the development of chronic depression. Furthermore, they reveal that it might be clinically useful to focus on autism-like social impairments in therapy for chronic depression.