Individuals with autism spectrum disorders are at a high risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. However, the relationship between autistic traits and depressive symptoms is unclear. This study aimed to identify which autistic traits are related to depressive symptoms in Japanese workers. The study participants included 2,049 workers from all areas of Japan. Autistic traits and depressive symptoms were measured using an abridged Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-Short) and the Japanese version of the K6 scale, respectively. The AQ-Short comprises five autistic trait subcomponents that assess fascination for numbers/patterns, difficulties with imagination, preference for routine, difficulties with social skills, and attention-switching difficulties. Linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the association between total and subcomponent autistic trait scores and depressive symptoms. Participants with higher total autistic trait scores were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms (p<0.001). When scores on the five autistic trait subcomponents were entered simultaneously into the model, participants with higher scores on all subcomponents other than ‘difficulties with imagination’ were significantly more likely to report depressive symptoms. Total autistic traits and autistic trait subcomponents could be used for early detection of the risk of depressive symptoms.

自闭症谱系障碍患者极有可能出现抑郁症状。但是，自闭症特征与抑郁症状之间的关系尚不清楚。这项研究旨在确定哪些自闭症特征与日本工人的抑郁症状有关。研究参与者包括来自日本各个地区的2,049名工人。自闭症特征和抑郁症状分别使用删节的日语版自闭症谱商（AQ-Short）和日语版的K6量表进行了测量。AQ-Short包含五个自闭特征子组件，这些子组件评估对数字/模式的迷恋，想象力的困难，对常规的偏爱，社交技巧的困难以及注意力转换的困难。进行线性回归分析以估计总和亚成分自闭性特征评分与抑郁症状之间的关联。总体自闭症特征得分较高的参与者出现抑郁症状的可能性明显更高（p <0.001）。当将五个自闭症特征子组件的分数同时输入模型时，除“想象困难”之外，所有子组件的分数都较高的参与者更有可能报告抑郁症状。总自闭症特征和自闭症特征子成分可用于早期发现抑郁症状的风险。