Investigating alexithymia in autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Autism
Psychometry and assessments in psychiatry (tests)
Journal
European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
ISSN: 1778-3585
Titre abrégé: Eur Psychiatry
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9111820
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2019
01 2019
Historique:
received:
26
06
2018
revised:
06
08
2018
accepted:
18
09
2018
pubmed:
7
11
2018
medline:
23
3
2019
entrez:
7
11
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
New research suggests that, rather than representing a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional processing difficulties reflect co-occurring alexithymia. Autistic individuals with alexithymia could therefore represent a specific subgroup of autism who may benefit from tailored interventions. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the nature and prevalence of alexithymia in autism using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Online scientific databases were searched systematically for studies on ASD popu lations using the TAS. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate differences in scores between the ASD and neurotypical groups, and to determine the prevalence of alexithymia in these populations. 15 articles comparing autistic and neurotypical (NT) groups were identified. Autistic people scored significantly higher on all scores compared to the NT group. There was also a higher prevalence of alexithymia in the ASD group (49.93% compared to 4.89%), with a significantly increased risk of alexithymia in autistic participants. This review highlights that alexithymia is common, rather than universal, in ASD, supporting a growing body of evidence that co-occurring autism and alexithymia represents a specific subgroup in the ASD population that may have specific clinical needs. More research is needed to understand the nature and implications of co-occurring ASD and alexithymia.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
New research suggests that, rather than representing a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional processing difficulties reflect co-occurring alexithymia. Autistic individuals with alexithymia could therefore represent a specific subgroup of autism who may benefit from tailored interventions. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the nature and prevalence of alexithymia in autism using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS).
METHODS
Online scientific databases were searched systematically for studies on ASD popu lations using the TAS. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate differences in scores between the ASD and neurotypical groups, and to determine the prevalence of alexithymia in these populations.
RESULTS
15 articles comparing autistic and neurotypical (NT) groups were identified. Autistic people scored significantly higher on all scores compared to the NT group. There was also a higher prevalence of alexithymia in the ASD group (49.93% compared to 4.89%), with a significantly increased risk of alexithymia in autistic participants.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights that alexithymia is common, rather than universal, in ASD, supporting a growing body of evidence that co-occurring autism and alexithymia represents a specific subgroup in the ASD population that may have specific clinical needs. More research is needed to understand the nature and implications of co-occurring ASD and alexithymia.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30399531
pii: S0924-9338(18)30177-9
doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.09.004
pmc: PMC6331035
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
80-89Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/R004595/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/S020381/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/N013700/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.
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