Article contents
Gender differences in psychosocial function and self-reported health status in late-diagnosed autistic adults: results from the FACE-ASD national cohort
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 September 2022
Abstract
While adult outcome in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is generally measured using socially valued roles, it could also be understood in terms of aspects related to health status – an approach that could inform on potential gender differences.
We investigated gender differences in two aspects of outcome related to health-status, i.e. general functioning and self-perceived health status, and co-occurring health conditions in a large multi-center sample of autistic adults. Three hundred and eighty-three participants were consecutively recruited from the FondaMental Advanced Centers of Expertise for ASD cohort (a French network of seven expert centers) between 2013 and 2020. Evaluation included a medical interview, standardized scales for autism diagnosis, clinical and functional outcomes, self-perceived health status and verbal ability. Psychosocial function was measured using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale.
While autistic women in this study were more likely than men to have socially valued roles, female gender was associated with poorer physical and mental health (e.g. a 7-fold risk for having three or more co-occurring physical health conditions) and a poorer self-perceived health status. Psychosocial function was negatively associated with depression and impairment in social communication. Half of the sample had multiple co-occurring health conditions but more than 70% reported that their visit at the Expert Center was their first contact with mental health services.
To improve objective and subjective aspects of health outcome, gender differences and a wide range of co-occurring health conditions should be taken into account when designing healthcare provision for autistic adults.
Keywords
- Type
- Original Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press
Footnotes
List of FondaMental Advanced Center of Expertise (FACE-ASD) collaborators:
FACE-ASD Clinical Coordinating Center (Fondation FondaMental); R. Coutelle, M. Speranza, M. Leboyer and PM Llorca;
FACE-SZ Data Coordinating Center (Fondation FondaMental); V. Barteau, S. Bensalem, O. Godin, H. Laouamri and K. Souryis;
FACE-ASD Clinical Sites and Principal Collaborators in France;
AP-HP, INSERM U955, Translational Psychiatry Team, Centre Expert TSA-SDI, Pôle de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie des Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Paris Est University, 40 rue de Mesly, 94000 Créteil, France: M. Leboyer, F. Lejuste; Centre Excellence InoVAND, Service de Psychiatrie de l'enfant, Centre Expert TSA-SDI Paris, France: R. Delorme, E. Humeau, A. Cartigny; Service de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, CHI Créteil: J. M Baylete; CRA Aquitaine, 121 Rue de la Béchade, 33016 Bordeaux cedex: A. Amestoy, M. Bouvard, C. Levy; Centre Expert TSA-SDI/Centre Référent de Réhabilitation Psychosociale; CH Alpes Isère: N. Coulon, S. Leignier, CC Périer; Service de Psychiatrie Infanto-Juvénile, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles: M. Speranza, M. Valette; Service de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre d'Excellence STRAS&ND, Centre Expert TSA-SDI, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg: C. Schroder, R. Coutelle, J. Rabot; Centre d'excellence I-Mind, Centre de référence maladies rares Génopsy, pôle ADIS, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier: C.Demily; M. Fabrowski; Marseille: D. Da Fonseca, M. Givaudan et P. Atzori
References
- 6
- Cited by