ABSTRACT

Previous research has indicated that autism is over-represented among inpatients in forensic high secure hospitals in England. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of estimating the prevalence of autism without an intellectual disability in medium secure units (MSU). Male inpatients on three MSU wards were approached to participate in the study following ethical approval. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and consented were screened for autism using the AQ (Autism Quotient), and the EQ (Empathy Quotient). Out of a total of 46 patients on these wards, sixteen individuals were ineligible to participate. Of the remaining 30, 12 (40%) subsequently consented to participate. After ruling out an intellectual disability using the Schonell Graded Work Reading Test, these individuals were screened for autism using the AQ, and completed the EQ. None of those who participated scored above screening threshold for further diagnostic testing using the AQ. However, three inpatients (of the original 46 patients on these wards) were previously diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome suggesting a prevalence of 6.5% (95% CI 1.7-.18.9%). The results indicate that this group is over-represented within medium secure forensic psychiatric units and highlight the difficulties in undertaking research in this population.

摘要

先前的研究表明，在英格兰法医高度安全的医院的住院患者中，自闭症患者的比例过高。本研究的目的是评估在中等安全单位 (MSU) 中估计无智力障碍的自闭症患病率的可行性。在获得伦理批准后，三个 MSU 病房的男性住院患者参与了这项研究。使用AQ（自闭症商数）和EQ（移情商数）对符合纳入标准并同意的患者进行自闭症筛查。在这些病房的 46 名患者中，有 16 人没有资格参加。在其余 30 人中，有 12 人（40%）随后同意参与。在使用 Schonell 分级作业阅读测试排除智力障碍后，这些人使用 AQ 进行了自闭症筛查，并完成了EQ。没有一个参与者的得分高于使用 AQ 进行进一步诊断测试的筛选阈值。然而，三名住院患者（在这些病房的最初 46 名患者中）之前被诊断出患有阿斯伯格综合症，表明患病率为 6.5%（95% CI 1.7-.18.9%）。结果表明，这个群体在中等安全的法医精神病学单位中的人数过多，并突出了在这一群体中进行研究的困难。