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 and Andreas RIEDEL. Exploring autistic traits in adults with chronic depression : A clinical study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Elsevier Ltd., 2019, vol. 65, No 9, p. 34-45. ISSN 1750-9467. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.04.006.

Basic information

Original name

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

Name in Czech

Zkoumání autistických rysů u dospělých s chronickou depresí : klinická studie

Authors

RADTKE, Martina (276 Germany), Denisa WIECZOREKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Claus NORMANN (276 Germany), Pavel HUMPOLÍČEK (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Eva-Lotta BRAKEMEIER (276 Germany), Emanuel BUBL (276 Germany), Ludger Tebartz VAN ELST (276 Germany) and Andreas RIEDEL (276 Germany)

Edition

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

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Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

50102 Psychology, special ;

Country of publisher

Netherlands

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.688

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.04.006

UT WoS

000474504900004

Keywords (in Czech)

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

Keywords in English

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

Tags

International impact, Reviewed

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Abstract

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.

In Czech

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.