Autism spectrum disorder involves challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Historically, males have received autism diagnoses at comparatively high rates, prompting an underrepresentation of females in research and an incomplete understanding of sex-specific symptom presentations and comorbidities. This review examines sex differences in the prevalence of common comorbidities of autism to inform tailored clinical practices. These conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, depression, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and tic disorders. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is prevalent in both sexes; however, females may more frequently exhibit the inattentive subtype. Anxiety disorders display inconsistent sex differences, while conduct disorder more frequently impacts males. Depression becomes more common with age; some studies indicate more pronounced symptoms in adolescent girls, while others suggest greater severity in males. Epilepsy is more prevalent in females, especially those with intellectual disabilities. Despite displaying a male predominance, intellectual disability may exacerbate the severity of autism to a greater degree in females. No clear sex differences have been found regarding tic disorders. Overall, contributors to sex-based differences include biases stemming from male-centric diagnostic tools, compensatory behaviors like camouflaging in females, genetic and neurobiological differences, and the developmental trajectories of comorbidities. Recognizing these factors is crucial for developing sensitive diagnostics and sex-specific interventions. Inconsistencies in the literature highlight the need for longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples to investigate autism comorbidities across the lifespan. Understanding sex differences could facilitate earlier identification, improved care, and personalized interventions, thus enhancing quality of life for individuals with autism.
, Taeyang Jang This study investigated the epidemiological and etiological trends associated with elbow pain over the past decade in South Korea.
Nationwide health statistics data from 2011 to 2020 pertaining to elbow pain-related diseases and soft tissue damages were sourced from the Healthcare Bigdata Hub with disease codes M771 (lateral epicondylitis), M770 (medial epicondylitis), S53 (elbow injury, dislocation, sprain), and G56 (mononeuropathies of the upper limb). The study assessed the annual fluctuations in the total medical cost and the number of patients associated with these codes. Trends over time were characterized by evaluating the crude and age-standardized prevalence rates and the annual percentage change. Changes in the proportion of medical expenses based on age distribution were also investigated.
A significant surge in medical costs was observed across all four codes. The M771, M770, and G56 codes experienced a pronounced increase in crude and age-standardized prevalence. Conversely, only S53 registered a significant drop in age-standardized prevalence. Moreover, within the total medical expenditures for the M771 code, the age bracket of 50 to 59 represented the largest proportion.
The data suggest that the average age of patients reporting elbow pain is rising. Given this shifting trend in South Korea's health statistics concerning elbow pain, there will be an increasing need for socioeconomic support, which will in turn necessitate improving health policies that address allocating medical expenses and resources for elbow pain.
, Hye-Kyung Jung The Korean version of Bowel disease questionnaire (BDQ-K) was developed to evaluate the symptom items required to meet the definition of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). We evaluated the test-retest reliability and validity of the self-reported BDQ-K and prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to the Rome-III criteria.
Sixty-nine patients participated in the test-retest reliability study, with a two week interval, and another 74 patients were enrolled to assess the self-reported questionnaire versus a doctor's interview (concurrent validity). A total of 3,325 subjects (mean age, 44±9 yrs; 58.3% male) presenting for an upper endoscopy responded to the BDQ-K at a health promotion center, but 797 subjects with organic diseases were excluded.
In the validity study of the BDQ-K, the median kappa value was 0.74 (0.36~1.0). The median kappa value for the test-retest was 0.56 (range 0.22~1.0), including abdominal pain (κ=0.51, P<0.001), pain onset before 6 months (κ=0.51, P<0.001), epigastric pain (κ=0.69, P<0.001), early satiety (κ=0.40, P<0.001), and postprandial fullness (κ=0.34, P<0.001). The prevalence of FD was 8.3% (209/2,528); epigastric pain more than once a week 4.4%, early satiety 2.5%, and postprandial fullness 6.1%. FD was more prevalent in women (P=0.001). The prevalence of IBS was 6.1% and IBS also predominated in women (7.1% vs 5.1% in men, P=0.032).
The BDQ-K is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying FGIDs. The prevalence of FD according to the Rome III criteria was 8.3% and that of IBS was 6.1%.
Citations
The staff members were assigned to four groups : 1) medical staff(n=39), 2) nursing staff(n=267), 3) medical technicians and pharmacists(n=48), 4) nonmedical staff(n=163). Serum antibodies for
The overall seropositivity was 70.4%(364/517). The seroprevalence of
It was thought that the prevalence of
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