scholarly journals AB0473 “HALO SIGN” IN ULTRASOUND OF TEMPORAL, FACIAL AND AXILLARY ARTERIES: ASSOCIATIONS WITH CLINICAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND LABORATORY FINDINGS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1534.2-1535
Author(s):  
G. Evangelatos ◽  
G. E. Fragoulis ◽  
A. Iliopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Inflammation Markers ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Clinical Symptomatology ◽  
Temporal Arteries ◽  
Halo Sign ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Us Findings ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Background:Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has two subtypes, the cranial form (“cranial GCA”) and the large-vessel form (“LV-GCA”). GCA can present with “cranial” symptoms (headache, visual symptoms, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness), constitutional symptoms (fever, fatigue), limb claudication and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and usually causes increased inflammation markers, anemia and thrombocytosis. Ultrasound (US) of the temporal and axillary arteries has a well-established role in cranial GCA and LV-GCA diagnosis, respectively. However, it is unknown whether specific clinical and laboratory parameters are linked with US findings suggestive of vascular inflammation (“halo” sign).Objectives:The aim of this study was to examine possible association between clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients and detection of vessel wall inflammation in the US.Methods:Patients ≥50 years old with elevated ESR (≥50mm/h) and/or CRP (≥10mg/L) that presented in our outpatient rheumatology clinics from July 2017 to December 2019 with possible clinical diagnosis of GCA were included. Three groups were compared: Patients with “cranial symptoms” (with or without PMR), patients with PMR symptoms only and patients with increased inflammation markers without specific symptoms indicative of GCA. Temporal arteries and their main branches, as well as facial and axillary arteries were evaluated by US bilaterally for the presence of non-compressible “halo sign” at the vessel wall. Clinical symptomatology and the occurrence of anemia and thrombocytosis were recorded.Results:52 patients were included. 71.2% were females, with a mean±SD age of 71.0±10.0 years. 17 patients had “cranial symptoms” (seven patients with concomitant PMR and ten without), 17 patients had PMR symptoms only, while 18 patients had non-specific symptoms (e.g. fever) (Table 1). Among 17 patients with “cranial symptoms”, 7/7 (100%) with concomitant PMR had a positive temporal US, while only 3 out of 10 (30%) without PMR had a positive temporal US (p<0.01) and US was indeterminate in 2 of them (20%). Collectively, 10/17 (58.8%) of patients with “cranial symptoms” and systemic inflammation had a US examination compatible with GCA. No patient with “cranial symptoms” had a positive US of axillary arteries. No patient with only PMR symptoms, had “halo sign” in temporal and facial arteries, while 3 out of 17 (17.6%) had a positive axillary US. From the 18 patients with elevated ESR/CRP, one had a positive temporal US and another one had a positive axillary US. Regarding specific symptoms, positive temporal US was associated with new headache (p=0.003), vision impairment (p=0.001), jaw claudication (p=0.05), scalp tenderness (p=0.01) and fever (P=0.002), but not with PMR (p=0.317). Thrombocytosis was associated with an increased risk for “halo sign” detection in temporal (p=0.04) and facial (p=0.007) arteries, but not in axilliary arteries (p=0.52).Conclusion:60% of patients with “cranial symptoms” and elevated inflammation markers have US temporal findings indicative of GCA. This is more pronounced in patients with concomitant PMR symptoms and is associated with specific symptomatology. 18% of patients with only PMR symptoms might have LV-GCA, while those with high ESR/CRP without GCA-related symptoms rarely have “halo sign” in US.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Correlation Between Vascular Inflammation Markers, Diastolic Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Takayasu Arteritis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastiano Cicco ◽  
Vanessa Desantis ◽  
Antonio Vacca ◽  
Gerardo Cazzato ◽  
Antonio Giovanni Solimando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diastolic Dysfunction ◽  
Takayasu Arteritis ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Infliximab Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) increases vascular stiffness and arterial resistance. Hypertension and atherosclerosis lead to similar changes. We investigated possible differences in cardiovascular remodeling between these diseases and whether the differences are correlated with immune cell expression. Methods: Patients with active TAK arteritis were compared with age- and sex-matched hypertensive and atherosclerotic patients. In a subpopulation of TAK patients, Treg/Th17 cells were measured before (T0) and after 18 months (T18) of infliximab treatment. Echocardiogram, supraaortic Doppler ultrasound, and lymphocytogram were performed in all patients. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of the vessel wall was performed to compare the in vivo results. Results: TAK patients have increased aortic valve dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction. These data have been associated with uric acid levels. A significant increase in aortic stiffness was also noted and associated with peripheral T lymphocyte levels. CD3+CD4+ cell infiltrates were detected in the vessel wall samples of these patients. They had a lower mean percentage of Tregs at T0 than controls, but levels increased significantly at T18. Opposite results were found in Th17 cells. Finally, TAK patients were found to have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Conclusion: Our data suggest that different pathogenic mechanisms of vessel damage, including atherosclerosis, underlie TAK patients compared with control subjects. The increased risk of ASCVD in TAK patients correlates directly with the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the vessel wall. Infliximab restores the normal frequency of Tregs/Th17 in TAK patients and allows a possible reduction of steroids and immunosuppressants.

Hepatic brucelloma: a rare complication of a common zoonotic disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e237076
Author(s):  
George Vatidis ◽  
Eirini I Rigopoulou ◽  
Konstantinos Tepetes ◽  
George N Dalekos
Keyword(s):  
Rare Complication ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Coombs Test ◽  
Inflammation Markers ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Ct Guided ◽  
Rare Manifestation ◽  
Bone Marrow Cultures ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

Hepatic brucelloma (HB), a rare manifestation of brucellosis, refers to liver involvement in the form of abscess. A 35-year-old woman stockbreeder was admitted due to 1-month history of evening fever, sweating and weight loss, while she was on 3-week course of rifampicin/doxycycline for suspected brucellosis. On admission, she had hepatosplenomegaly and a systolic murmur, while cholestasis, increased inflammation markers and a strong-positive Wright-Coombs test were the main laboratory findings. As blood and bone marrow cultures were unrevealing, further investigation with CT imaging showed a central liver calcification surrounded by heterogeneous hypodense area being compatible with HB. Material from CT-guided drainage tested negative for Brucella spp. After failure to improve on a 10-week triple regiment, surgical excision was decided and Brucella spp were identified by PCR. Our case highlights challenges in establishing HB diagnosis, which should be considered on the right epidemiological context and when serological and radiological evidence favour its diagnosis.

scholarly journals Vascular Inflammation and Dysfunction in Lupus-Prone Mice-IL-6 as Mediator of Disease Initiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2291
Author(s):  
Paul Marczynski ◽  
Myriam Meineck ◽  
Ning Xia ◽  
Huige Li ◽  
Daniel Kraus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Leukocytic Infiltration ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Altered Immune Status ◽  
Inflammatory Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Excellent Tool

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease and patients are under an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. The increased CV risk for patients with SLE seems to be caused by a premature and accelerated atherosclerosis, attributable to lupus-specific risk factors (i.e., increased systemic inflammation, altered immune status), apart from traditional CV risk factors. To date, there is no established experimental model to explore the pathogenesis of this increased CV risk in SLE patients. Methods: Here we investigated whether MRL-Faslpr mice, which develop an SLE-like phenotype, may serve as a model to study lupus-mediated vascular disease. Therefore, MRL-Faslpr, MRL-++, and previously generated Il6−/− MRL-Faslpr mice were used to evaluate vascular changes and possible mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and damage. Results: Contrary to MRL-++ control mice, lupus-prone MRL-Faslpr mice exhibited a pronounced vascular and perivascular leukocytic infiltration in various organs; expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the aorta and kidney was augmented; and intima-media thickness of the aorta was increased. IL-6 deficiency reversed these changes and restored aortic relaxation. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the MRL-Faslpr mouse model is an excellent tool to investigate vascular damage in SLE mice. Moreover, IL-6 promotes vascular inflammation and damage and could potentially be a therapeutic target for the treatment of accelerated arteriosclerosis in SLE.

scholarly journals Diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of ground-glass opacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali H. Elmokadem ◽  
Dalia Bayoumi ◽  
Sherif A. Abo-Hedibah ◽  
Ahmed El-Morsy
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Ground Glass Opacity ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Halo Sign ◽  
Traction Bronchiectasis ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

Abstract Background To evaluate the diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 causes of ground-glass opacities (GGO). Results A total of 80 patients (49 males and 31 females, 46.48 ± 16.09 years) confirmed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR and who underwent chest CT scan within 2 weeks of symptoms, and 100 patients (55 males and 45 females, 48.94 ± 18.97 years) presented with GGO on chest CT were enrolled in the study. Three radiologists reviewed all CT chest exams after removal of all identifying data from the images. They expressed the result as positive or negative for COVID-19 and recorded the other pulmonary CT features with mention of laterality, lobar affection, and distribution pattern. The clinical data and laboratory findings were recorded. Chest CT offered diagnostic accuracy ranging from 59 to 77.2% in differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with sensitivity from 76.25 to 90% and specificity from 45 to 67%. The specificity was lower when differentiating COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 viral pneumonias (30.5–61.1%) and higher (53.1–70.3%) after exclusion of viral pneumonia from the non-COVID-19 group. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have lesions in lower lobes (p = 0.005), peripheral distribution (p < 0.001), isolated ground-glass opacity (p = 0.043), subpleural bands (p = 0.048), reverse halo sign (p = 0.005), and vascular thickening (p = 0.013) but less likely to have pulmonary nodules (p < 0.001), traction bronchiectasis (p = 0.005), pleural effusion (p < 0.001), and lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001). Conclusions Chest CT offered reasonable sensitivity when differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with low specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other viral pneumonias and moderate specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of GGO.

scholarly journals POS0821 THE DIFFERENT SUBTYPES OF GIANT CELL ARTERITIS BY ULTRASOUND: RESULTS FROM A FAST-TRACK CLINIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 664.3-664
Author(s):  
I. Monjo ◽  
E. Fernández-Fernández ◽  
J. Ortega ◽  
E. De Miguel
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Vascular Involvement ◽  
Temporal Arteries ◽  
Halo Sign ◽  
Cranial Vessels ◽  
Large Vessels

Background:Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis that affects the medium and large vessels (LV). Although cranial artery involvement is better known, awareness of the importance of LV involvement is increasing. Imaging techniques currently constitute the basis for the diagnosis of LV-GCA and have improved its diagnosis and prevalence. In recent years, differences in clinical patterns and different inflammatory and etiopathogenic mechanisms of the disease have been suggested. Therefore, improving sensitivity to diagnosis is essential to improve the knowledge and care of our population.Objectives:The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of the different ultrasound patterns of GCA in our area.Methods:Retrospective records of available data were collected from all patients referred to our ACG fast track clinic in the past three years. The clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated at the time of referral. All patients underwent an ultrasound scan of cranial vessels (superficial temporal arteries (TA) and their frontal and parietal branches) and large vessels (axillary, subclavian and carotid arteries). The doctor confirmed the GCA diagnosis after at least six months of follow-up. The OMERACT definitions of halo sign with a hypoechoic wall thickness ≥ 0.34 mm were used for TA pathology for the ultrasound diagnosis of GCA and for axillary, subclavian and carotid arteries and homogeneous hypoechoic thicknesses ≥ 1 mm of the arterial wall were applied. Atherosclerosis lesions were evaluated to detect this disease as a possible false positive halo sign. An Esaote Mylab Twice with a 13 MHz probe in BT and 22 MHz for cranial vessels in 2017-2019 and an Esaote Mylab X8plus with a 15 MHz probe for BT and a 24 MHz probe for cranial arteries in 2019-2020 were used by two rheumatologist with long experience in ACG ultrasound.Results:A total of 261 patients (180 women / 81 men) with suspected GCA were evaluated in our fast track clinic. The mean age (± SD) was 76 ± 9.2 years and CRP at diagnosis was 75.7 ± 68.6 mg/L. The time elapsed since the first symptoms was less than 6, 6-12, 12-24 or >24 weeks in 37.5%, 19.9%, 12.3% and 15.7% respectively. Of the 261 cases explored, 160 had GCA, of which 102 were women and 58 men, and had a mean age of 77.21 ± 7.9 years. The ultrasound patterns of GCA were: 71 patients had exclusive involvement of the TA (cranial-GCA), 54 had a mixed pattern with involvement of both TA and LV (mixed-CGA), and 35 had isolated involvement of the LV (LV-GCA). That is, 125 patients had cranial involvement with or without LV involvement and 89 had LV-GCA associated or not with cranial involvement (Figure 1).Figure 1.Ultrasound patters of GCAConclusion:Ultrasound is a useful tool for the screening of GCA and its different subtypes of vascular involvement. The isolated cranial subtype or associated with LV-GCA is the most common (78% of cases), but LV-GCA is also very common (55.6% of cases of GCA) and 21.9% presents as an isolated LV-GCA standard. The LV arteries should be included in the ultrasound examination for suspected GCA.Disclosure of Interests:Irene Monjo Speakers bureau: Roche, Novartis, UCB, Gedeon Richter, Consultant of: Roche, Elisa Fernández-Fernández: None declared, Javier Ortega: None declared, Eugenio de Miguel Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, MSD, BMS, UCB, Roche, Grunental, Janssen, Sanofi, Paid instructor for: Janssen, Novartis, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Galapagos, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Novartis, Pfizer

scholarly journals The Relationship between Inflammatory Cytokines and Coagulopathy in Patients with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2020
Author(s):  
Fariba Rad ◽  
Ali Dabbagh ◽  
Akbar Dorgalaleh ◽  
Arijit Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Coagulation Parameters ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Α Level ◽  
High Level

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with a broad range of clinical and laboratory findings, is currently the most prevalent medical challenge worldwide. In this disease, hypercoagulability and hyperinflammation, two common features, are accompanied by a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. We assessed the association between baseline inflammatory cytokine levels and coagulopathy and disease outcome in COVID-19. One hundred and thirty-seven consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were selected for the study. Baseline interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level were measured at time of admission. At the same time, baseline coagulation parameters were also assessed during the patient’s hospitalization. Clinical findings, including development of thrombosis and clinical outcome, were recorded prospectively. Out of 136 patients, 87 (~64%) had increased cytokine levels (one or more cytokines) or abnormal coagulation parameters. Among them, 58 (~67%) had only increased inflammatory cytokines, 12 (~14%) had only coagulation abnormalities, and 17 (19.5%) had concomitant abnormalities in both systems. It seems that a high level of inflammatory cytokines at admission points to an increased risk of developing coagulopathy, thrombotic events, even death, over the course of COVID-19. Early measurement of these cytokines, and timely co-administration of anti-inflammatories with anticoagulants could decrease thrombotic events and related fatal consequences.

Evaluation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression in non-diabetic and diabetic atherosclerotic mice using PET tracer 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Ståhle ◽  
Sanna Hellberg ◽  
Jenni Virta ◽  
Heidi Liljenbäck ◽  
Olli Metsälä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Tracer Uptake ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Pet Tracer ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1

Activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling attenuates development of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation. However, the expression of GLP-1R in atherosclerotic arteries remains uncertain. We evaluated whether a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 enables detection and imaging of GLP-1R expression in the mouse atherosclerotic aorta. Hypercholesterolemic (LDLR-/-ApoB100/100), hypercholesterolemic and diabetic (IGF-II/LDLR-/-ApoB100/100) as well as healthy control (C57BL/6N) mice were utilized in the study. The uptake of 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 in atherosclerotic lesions was studied by autoradiography of tissue sections followed by immunofluorescence evaluation of inflammatory and vascular cell markers and GLP-1R. A subset of mice was imaged with 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 PET/computed tomography (CT). The aortas of both LDLR-/-ApoB100/100 and IGF-II/LDLR-/-ApoB100/100 mice contained prominent, macrophage-rich atherosclerotic lesions. Diabetic mice demonstrated hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. We found that by autoradiography, 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 uptake was focally increased in macrophage-rich lesion areas compared with corresponding healthy vessel wall (lesion-to-wall ratio 1.6 ± 0.10, p<0.0001) in both non-diabetic and diabetic hypercholesterolemic mice. Pre-injection of unlabeled exendin-4 peptide significantly reduced cellular uptake of 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4. Furthermore, PET/CT imaging showed 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 accumulation in the atherosclerotic aorta. Immunofluorescence stainings demonstrated co-localization of GLP-1R with macrophage-rich areas in atherosclerotic lesions. Tracer uptake was low in the healthy vessel wall of C57BL/6N mice coupled with negative GLP-1R staining. In conclusion, 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4 detects GLP-1R expression in atherosclerotic lesions in both non-diabetic and diabetic hypercholesterolemic mice. These results provide evidence that GLP-1R expression is mainly localized in macrophage-rich area in atherosclerotic lesions and may have implications for studies of pharmacological modification of GLP-1R signaling in atherosclerosis.

Abstract TP202: Association of Rs7961894 with Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Miller ◽  
Nils Henninger ◽  
Renato Umeton ◽  
Agnieszka Slowik
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mean Platelet Volume ◽  
Myocardial Infarct ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Platelet Volume ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Stroke Subtypes ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
One Year

Introduction: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet function and elevated MPV was found to be an independent risk factor for death after myocardial infarct in patients with coronary artery disease. Higher MPV was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, yet there is insufficient data regarding the role of MPV as a marker of outcome in patients with ischemic stroke. The variability of platelet indices in humans is largely determined by genetic factors and rs7961894 located within intron 3 of WDR66 gene showed the strongest association with MPV in all genome wide association (GWA) studies in the European population. Aim: To determine the association of rs7961894 with MPV in patients with acute ischemic stroke and to assess whether rs7961894 and MPV could be markers of one year mortality in different stroke subtypes. Material and methods: For 426 adults with first-ever ischemic stroke MPV was measured within 72h of stroke onset and single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of rs7961894 was performed accordingly (RT-PCR, Applied Biosystems). Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics (including TOAST classification), laboratory findings as well as one year mortality data were collected for each participant. Results: Allele T and genotypes CT and TT of the rs7961894 polymorphism were associated with the highest (>11.5fL) MPV quartile (Chi 2 test, p<0.01). MPV was significantly higher in patients with genotype TT as compared to CT and CC genotype (12.0±0.24fL vs. 11.10±0.15fL and 10.77±0.05fL, respectively, ANOVA, p <0.005 with Tukey HSD post-hoc test, Figure 1). Conclusions: Allele T of rs7961894 polymorphism is associated with increased MPV in the recessive and dominant model and patients with genotype TT have significantly higher MPV as compared to the rest of the population study. Further analysis is currently being conducted to determine the association of MPV and rs7961894 polymorphism with one year mortality and stroke subtypes.

scholarly journals Robust association between autistic traits and psychotic-like experiences in the adult general population: epidemiological study from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey and replication with the 2014 APMS

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Anton P. Martinez ◽  
Sophie Wickham ◽  
Georgina Rowse ◽  
Elizabeth Milne ◽  
Richard P. Bentall
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Studies have shown that there are overlapping traits and symptoms between autism and psychosis but no study to date has addressed this association from an epidemiological approach in the adult general population. Furthermore, it is not clear whether autistic traits are associated with specific symptoms of psychosis or with psychosis in general. We assess these associations for the first time by using the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2007 and the APMS 2014, predicting an association between autistic traits and probable psychosis, and specific associations between autistic traits and paranoia and strange experiences. Methods Participants (N = 7353 in 2007 and 7500 in 2014) completed the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSQ) and a 20-item version of the Autism Quotient (AQ-20). Binomial logistic regressions were performed using AQ-20 as the independent variable and probable psychosis and specific symptoms as dependent variables. Results In the APMS 2007 dataset, significant associations were found between autism traits and probable psychosis, paranoia, thought insertion, and strange experiences. These results were replicated in APMS 2014 but with the additional significant association between autistic traits and hallucinations. Participants in the highest quartile of the AQ-20, compared with the lowest quartile, had an increased risk of probable psychosis of odds ratio (OR) = 15.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.57–52.6] in APMS 2007 and OR = 22.5 (95% CI 7.64–66.3) in APMS 2014. Conclusions Autistic traits are strongly associated with probable psychosis and psychotic experiences with the exception of mania. Limitations such as the cross-sectional nature of the study are discussed.

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