Dataset Information

Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults.

ABSTRACT: While there is emerging evidence on the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions among autistic adults, less is known about this population's needs during older adulthood (aged 65+). We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study of 2016-2017 Medicare data to compare the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in a national sample of autistic older adults (N?=?4685) to a matched population comparison (N?=?46,850) cohort. Autistic older adults had significantly greater odds of nearly all physical health conditions including epilepsy (odds ratio?=?18.9; 95% confidence interval?=?17.2-20.7), Parkinson's disease (odds ratio?=?6.1; 95% confidence interval?=?5.3-7.0), and gastrointestinal conditions (odds ratio?=?5.2; 95% confidence interval?=?4.9-5.5). Most mental health conditions were more common among autistic older adults, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (odds ratio?=?25.3; 95% confidence interval?=?22.4-28.7), attention deficit disorders (odds ratio?=?24.4; 95% confidence interval?=?16.2-31.0), personality disorders (odds ratio?=?24.1; 95% confidence interval?=?17.8-32.5), and suicidality or self-inflicted injury (odds ratio?=?11.1; 95% confidence interval?=?8.9-13.8). Health conditions commonly associated with advanced age in the general population (e.g. osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, osteoarthritis) were also significantly more common among autistic older adults. By highlighting the significant physical and mental health needs for which autistic older adults require care, our findings can inform healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and public health initiatives seeking to promote well-being in this growing population.

SUBMITTER: Hand BN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7433648 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults.

Hand Brittany N BN Angell Amber M AM Harris Lauren L Carpenter Laura Arnstein LA

Autism : the international journal of research and practice 20191127 3

While there is emerging evidence on the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions among autistic adults, less is known about this population's needs during older adulthood (aged 65+). We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study of 2016-2017 Medicare data to compare the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in a national sample of autistic older adults (N = 4685) to a matched population comparison (N = 46,850) cohort. Autistic older adults had significantly g ...[more]

PMID: 31773968

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background and objectives: There are studies showing that exercise counseled by health professionals can improve physical fitness. However, less is known about the effects of exercise counseling on quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate health-related quality of life of older adults who received or did not receive physical exercise counseling by sport and exercise professionals or physicians. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that investigated quality of life of older adults who did or did not receive exercise counseling from health professionals. Older adults who were physically active took part in this study: 45 participants performed exercise advised by sport and exercise professionals (SEPCG), 19 participants performed exercise advised by physicians (PCG), and 26 participants performed exercise without counseling (NCG). Participants answered the SF-36 to estimate quality of life. Results: Analysis revealed that responses on all SF-36 subscales were higher in those participants who received counseling by sport and exercise professionals (Functioning capacity, ? = -26.283, p < 0.001 and ? = -26.482, p < 0.001, Role limitations due to physical problems, ? = -43.372, p < 0.001 and ? = -45.177, p < 0.001, Pain, ? = -17.634, p < 0.001 and ? = -16.015, p < 0.001, General health perceptions, ? = -38.008, p < 0.001 and ? = -32.529, p < 0.001, Vitality, ? = -18.573, p < 0.001 and ? = -16.406, p = 0.001, Social functioning, ? = -37.963, p < 0.001 and ? = -29.224, p < 0.001, Role limitations due to emotional problems, ? = -52.246, p < 0.001 and ? = -40.173, p < 0.001, Mental health, ? = -17.381, p < 0.001 and ? = -12.121, p < 0.001, PCG and NCG respectively). Conclusions: The results showed that those older adults who were counseled by sport and exercise professionals presented better quality of life, possibly because these professionals counseled exercise based on current guidelines for exercise prescription.

Project description:ImportancePsychiatric disorders are common among autistic children and adults. Little is known about sex differences in psychiatric disorders and hospitalization in early adulthood.ObjectiveTo examine sex differences in psychiatric diagnoses and hospitalizations in autistic compared with nonautistic young adults.Design, setting, and participantsThis population-based cohort study assessed all individuals born in Sweden between 1985 and 1997. A total of 1 335 753 individuals, including 20 841 autistic individuals (7129 [34.2%] female individuals), were followed up from age 16 through 24 years between 2001 and 2013. Analysis took place between June 2021 and August 2022.ExposuresAutism was defined as having received at least 1 clinical diagnosis of autism based on the International Classification of Diseases.Main outcomes and measuresThe cumulative incidence of 11 psychiatric diagnoses up until age 25 years was estimated, and birth year-standardized risk difference was used to compare autistic female and male individuals directly. Sex-specific birth year-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were calculated using Cox regression. Analyses were repeated for inpatient diagnoses to assess psychiatric hospitalization.ResultsOf 1 335 753 individuals included in this study, 650 314 (48.7%) were assigned female at birth. Autism was clinically diagnosed in 20 841 individuals (1.6%; 7129 [34.2%] female) with a mean (SD) age of 16.1 (5.1) years (17.0 [4.8] years in female individuals and 15.7 [5.2] years in male individuals) for the first recorded autism diagnosis. For most disorders, autistic female individuals were at higher risk for psychiatric diagnoses and hospitalizations. By age 25 years, 77 of 100 autistic female individuals and 62 of 100 autistic male individuals received at least 1 psychiatric diagnosis. Statistically significant standardized risk differences were observed between autistic female and male individuals for any psychiatric disorder (-0.18; 95% CI, -0.26 to -0.10) and specifically for anxiety, depressive, and sleep disorders. Risk differences were larger among autistic than nonautistic individuals. Compared with nonautistic same-sex individuals, autistic female individuals (HR range [95% CI], 3.17 [2.50-4.04.]-20.78 [18.48-23.37]) and male individuals (HR range [95% CI], 2.98 [2.75-3.23]-18.52 [17.07-20.08]) were both at increased risk for all psychiatric diagnoses. Any psychiatric hospitalization was statistically significantly more common in autistic female individuals (32 of 100) compared with autistic male individuals (19 of 100). However, both autistic female and male individuals had a higher relative risk for psychiatric hospitalization compared with nonautistic female and male individuals for all disorders (female individuals: HR range [95% CI], 5.55 [4.63-6.66]-26.30 [21.50-32.16]; male individuals: HR range [95% CI], 3.79 [3.22-4.45]-29.36 [24.04-35.87]).Conclusions and relevanceThese findings highlight the need for profound mental health services among autistic young adults. Autistic female individuals, who experience more psychiatric difficulties at different levels of care, require increased clinical surveillance and support.

Dataset Information

Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults.

Publications

Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets