Abstract
BACKGROUND The negative consequences of sleep-wake disorders in the general population and in children with an
autism spectrum disorder (asd) are well-established. However, little is known about sleep-wake
disorders in adults with asd.
AIM To study and measure sleep-wake disorders and sleep-wake patterns in adults in a clinical facility who
have been diagnosed primarily as having asd without any comorbid intellectual disability.
METHOD We assessed the sleep patterns of 19 patients in a residential facility. We asked patients to provide their
sleep history, answer questionnaires and keep a sleep diary (subjective measurement). We also
asked patients to collect actigraphy data (objective measurement) for seven days and to provide
information about comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression and use of medication.
RESULTS Nine patients (47%) had undiagnosed comorbid sleep-wake disorders. Patients in our study overrated
their sleep efficiency (diary) compared to objective data (actigraphy). However, patients’ subjective
sleep quality did match patients’ sleep efficiency. Only two out of 14 patients with symptoms of
anxiety and/or depression were diagnosed with a comorbid depressive disorder, 15 patients were
treated with medication.
CONCLUSION Sleep-wake disorders and comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression might be more prevalent in
adults with asd in a residential facility than reported so far. This possibility needs to be considered
more carefully during the diagnostic process and during treatment.
autism spectrum disorder (asd) are well-established. However, little is known about sleep-wake
disorders in adults with asd.
AIM To study and measure sleep-wake disorders and sleep-wake patterns in adults in a clinical facility who
have been diagnosed primarily as having asd without any comorbid intellectual disability.
METHOD We assessed the sleep patterns of 19 patients in a residential facility. We asked patients to provide their
sleep history, answer questionnaires and keep a sleep diary (subjective measurement). We also
asked patients to collect actigraphy data (objective measurement) for seven days and to provide
information about comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression and use of medication.
RESULTS Nine patients (47%) had undiagnosed comorbid sleep-wake disorders. Patients in our study overrated
their sleep efficiency (diary) compared to objective data (actigraphy). However, patients’ subjective
sleep quality did match patients’ sleep efficiency. Only two out of 14 patients with symptoms of
anxiety and/or depression were diagnosed with a comorbid depressive disorder, 15 patients were
treated with medication.
CONCLUSION Sleep-wake disorders and comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression might be more prevalent in
adults with asd in a residential facility than reported so far. This possibility needs to be considered
more carefully during the diagnostic process and during treatment.
| Translated title of the contribution | Sleep-wake patterns in adults with autism spectrum disorders in a clinical setting: a pilot study |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 1 May 2017 |
| Event | Nederlands voorjaarscongres voor Psychiatrie 2017 - MECC, Maastricht, Netherlands Duration: 5 Apr 2017 → 7 Apr 2017 |
Conference
| Conference | Nederlands voorjaarscongres voor Psychiatrie 2017 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Netherlands |
| City | Maastricht |
| Period | 5/04/17 → 7/04/17 |