Dados do Trabalho

Título

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER IN ADOLESCENTS IN SAO LUIS, MA

Introdução

The notable increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the global population makes it especially important to know the autistic patient. Neurobehavioral disorder implies impairment in social integration and other aspects. It is estimated that 1 in 36 children is identified with ASD in the United States, with boys being affected about four times more often than girls. Consider that the cause is multifactorial and there does not seem to be a manifestation with ethnicity, race or social groups. Similar studies are still incipient in Brazil.

Objetivo

The objective of this work is to understand some epidemiological aspects of ASD in adolescents 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. Statistical tests were carried out using the Bioestat 5.3 program.

Resultados

Partial results recorded 30 autistic adolescents during the study period, with boys being affected 3.3 times more often than girls. Most patients (63.3%) were diagnosed by the age of five. The moderate degree (2) prevailed in 56.6% of the sample, while the mild degree (1) in 26.6% and the severe degree (3) in 16.6%. It was observed that 63.3% of patients use at least one type of medication. The use of medication appears to be positively correlated with the degree of the disorder (r = 0.4146/ p = 0.0227).

Conclusão

The results of this study corroborate previous studies that indicate that ASD occurs more often in males, in a proportion of 4:1. Studies and clinical practice indicate that most children present neurodevelopmental changes, which lead to investigation and diagnosis, up to 36 months. The use of medication helps with socialization into crystallized behaviors and optimizes therapies and, therefore, appears to be correlated with the degree of the disorder. The sample limitations of this preliminary study point to the need for its continuity and scope.

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.

ESTADOS UNIDOS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Disponível em: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/. Acesso em: agosto, 2024. U.S., May, 2024.

KEMPER, T. & BAUMAN, M. Neuropatology of infantile autism. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. Vol.57. 1998. p. 645-652.

Palavras Chave

austim; Epidemiology; adolescence