Prevalence and Interpretation of Recent Trends in Rates of Pervasive Developmental Disorders

The aims of this article are to provide an up-to-date review of the methodological features and substantive results of published epidemiological surveys of the prevalence of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). This article updates previous reviews (1, 2) with the inclusion of new studies made available since then. The specific questions addressed inthis article are: a) how are cases of PDD defined and identified in epidemiological surveys?; b) what are the best estimates for the prevalence of autism and related pervasive developmental disorders considering the methodological implications of the surveys, and c) what interpretation can be given to time trends observed in prevalence rates of PDDs given the hypothesized secular increase in PDDs?

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The epidemiology of autism: a review

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291799008508 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 769-786 ◽

Cited By ~ 558

Author(s):

ERIC FOMBONNE

Keyword(s):

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

English Language ◽

Strong Association ◽

Case Definition ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Special Services ◽

Epidemiological Surveys ◽

Male Female Ratio ◽

Minimum Estimate

Background. There is some uncertainty about the rate and correlates of autism.Method. Twenty-three epidemiological surveys of autism published in the English language between 1966 and 1998 were reviewed.Results. Over 4 million subjects were surveyed; 1533 subjects with autism were identified. The methodological characteristics of each study are summarized, including case definition, case-finding procedures, participation rates and precision achieved. Across surveys, the median prevalence estimate was 5·2/10000. Half the surveys had 95% confidence intervals consistent with population estimates of 5·4–5·5/10000. Prevalence rates significantly increased with publication year, reflecting changes in case definition and improved recognition; the median rate was 7·2/10000 for 11 surveys conducted since 1989. The average male/female ratio was 3·8[ratio ]1, varying according to the absence or presence of mental retardation. Intellectual functioning within the normal range was reported in about 20% of subjects. On average, medical conditions of potential causal significance were found in 6% of subjects with autism, with tuberous sclerosis having a consistently strong association with autism. Social class and immigrant status did not appear to be associated with autism. There was no evidence for a secular increase in the incidence of autism. In eight surveys, rates for other forms of pervasive developmental disorders were two to three times higher than the rate for autism.Conclusion. Based on recent surveys, a minimum estimate of 18·7/10000 for all forms of pervasive developmental disorders was derived, which outlines the needs in special services for a large group of children.

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Anorexia Nervosa

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.166.4.462 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 166 (4) ◽

pp. 462-471 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Eric Fombonne

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Time Trends ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Upward Trend ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Secular Increase ◽

Over Time

BackgroundThis paper examines the evidence that rates of anorexia nervosa have increased over time.MethodEpidemiological studies that have provided time trends in incidence rates in specific countries or psychiatric registers and prevalence surveys were reviewed to assess whether or not prevalence estimates are higher in the most recent studies.ResultsEstimated trends in incidence rates showed an increase but no study ruled out plausible alternative explanations. Studies showing no upward trend were as numerous and were generally based on larger samples. Analysis of 29 cross-sectional surveys conducted over the last 25 years indicated that the median prevalence rate was 1.3 per 1000 females. There was no indication that more recent surveys yielded higher prevalence rates.ConclusionAnorexia nervosa remains a rare disorder and there is no evidence of a secular increase in its incidence.

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Epidemiological surveys of pervasive developmental disorders

Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1017/cbo9780511544446.003 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 33-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Eric Fombonne

Keyword(s):

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Epidemiological Surveys

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Trends, perinatal characteristics, and medical conditions in pervasive developmental disorders

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology ◽

10.1017/s0012162206001964 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 48 (11) ◽

pp. 896 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Pascale Guillem ◽

Christine Cans ◽

Vincent Guinchat ◽

Marc Ratel ◽

Pierre-Simon Jouk

Keyword(s):

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Medical Conditions

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Pervasive developmental disorders

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e640952009-003 ◽

2001 ◽

Author(s):

Nancy McKellar

Keyword(s):

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders

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Consideraciones para la atención odontológica en un paciente con síndrome de Asperger. reporte de un caso

REVISTA ODONTOLOGÍA PEDIÁTRICA ◽

10.33738/spo.v17i1.118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Claudia Butrón-Téllez Girón

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Primary Prevention ◽

Asperger Syndrome ◽

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Systematic Desensitization ◽

Behaviour Management ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

Behavioral Techniques

El Síndrome de Asperger es una enfermedad del neurodesarrollo caracterizado por deficiencias en la interacción social y la comunicación,sin retraso en el desarrollo cognitivo y del lenguaje, considerado dentro de los Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo y de las Condiciones del Espectro Autista. Debido a las características de este síndrome estos pacientes requieren atención y técnicas conductuales específicas, parapoder realizar el tratamiento dental. El objetivo de este reporte es dar a conocer los cuidados y el manejo de conducta para el tratamiento dental en pacientes con Síndrome de Asperger. Palabras clave: Síndrome de Asperger, desensibilización sistemática, cuidado dental, salud bucal, prevención primaria, comportamiento. AbstractAsperger syndrome is a disease of the neurodevelopmental characterized by deficiencies in social interaction and communication, without delay in cognitive development and language, and is considered within pervasive developmental disorders and the autism spectrumconditions. Due to the characteristics these patients require care and specific behavioral techniques, to perform dental treatment. The objective of this report is to present the care and behaviour management for dental treatment in patients with Asperger syndrome. Key words: Asperger syndrome, systematic desensitization, dental care, oral health, primary prevention, behaviour.

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