Dados do Trabalho

Título

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) IN ADOLESCENTS IN SAO LUIS, MA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Introdução

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurobehavioral disorders with unclear etiology and some similar symptoms, such as difficulties in communication and attention. Although, they apparently have multifactorial causes, such disorders are related to genetic bases, including studies that involve the relation of the same genes associated with both conditions. Understanding the occurrence of two disorders in the same individual is essential to elucidate possible relationships, investigate origins, support treatment decisions, improve multidisciplinary therapies and, finally, socio-family life.

Objetivo

The objective of this work is to preliminarily investigate the occurrence of ASD concomitant with ADHD in teenagers in São Luís, MA.

Método

Individuals aged 12 to 18 years old were evaluated during therapeutic monitoring for ASD in a multidisciplinary clinic in São Luís – MA, from January to August 2024.

Resultados

Thirty (n=30) adolescents were included, 53.3% of whom had ASD and ADHD. The proportion between boys and girls diagnosed with ASD and ADHD was 1:0.18, in other words, the occurrence of both disorders in the same individual seems to be more frequent in boys. Grade 2 (moderate) ASD showed a greater association (62.5%) with the concomitant occurrence of ADHD.

Conclusão

The association found between ASD and ADHD, although more evident in this study, corroborates previous studies and may be based on similarities or cause-effect relationships between genes related to the disorders. The sample limitations of this preliminary study point to the need for its continuity and scope for more consistent discussions. Assuming that two disorders can occur in the same individual is relatively recent and such a condition seems to be associated with more debilitating symptoms for the individual.

Referências

ALVIM, R. J. Perfil epidemiológico do Transtorno do Espectro Autista na população pediátrica em um hospital terciário do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dissertação - Mestrado em Pesquisa Aplicada à Saúde da Criança e da Mulher do Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira, da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 2020. 132f.

VELARDE, M. & CÁRDENAS, A. Autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Medicina (Buenos Aires) 2022; 82 (Supl. III): 67-70.

SEERNANI, D.; DAMANIA, K.; IOANNOU, C.; PENKALLA, N.; HILL, H.; FOULSHAM, P.; KINGSTONE, A.; ANDERSON, N.; BOCCIGNONE, G.; BENDER, S.; SMYRNIS, N.; BISCALDI, M.; EBNER-PRIEMER, U.; CRISTOPH KLEIN. Visual search in ADHD, ASD and ASD + ADHD: overlapping or dissociating disorders? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2021, 30:549–562.

Palavras Chave

Autism; tdah; adolescence