Metabolic syndrome in adults with autistic traits: associated psychological, behavioral, and biological factors in females and males – a PharmLines initiative

E. B. Warreman; L. A. Nooteboom; P. J. M. Leenen; H. M. Geurts; H. M. Geurts; M. B. Terry; J. H. J. Bos; E. Hak; H. W. Hoek; H. W. Hoek; H. W. Hoek; E. F. C. van Rossum; E. F. C. van Rossum; R. R. J. M. Vermeiren; R. R. J. M. Vermeiren; W. A. Ester; W. A. Ester; W. A. Ester

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1303840

Frontiers in Psychiatry (Dec 2023)

Metabolic syndrome in adults with autistic traits: associated psychological, behavioral, and biological factors in females and males – a PharmLines initiative

E. B. Warreman,
L. A. Nooteboom,
P. J. M. Leenen,
H. M. Geurts,
H. M. Geurts,
M. B. Terry,
J. H. J. Bos,
E. Hak,
H. W. Hoek,
H. W. Hoek,
H. W. Hoek,
E. F. C. van Rossum,
E. F. C. van Rossum,
R. R. J. M. Vermeiren,
R. R. J. M. Vermeiren,
W. A. Ester,
W. A. Ester,
W. A. Ester

Affiliations

E. B. Warreman: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LUMC Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
L. A. Nooteboom: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LUMC Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
P. J. M. Leenen: Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
H. M. Geurts: Dutch Autism and ADHD Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
H. M. Geurts: Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Youz, Parnassia Group, Amsterdam, Netherlands
M. B. Terry: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
J. H. J. Bos: Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
E. Hak: Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
H. W. Hoek: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
H. W. Hoek: Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
H. W. Hoek: Parnassia Group, Youz, The Hague, Netherlands
E. F. C. van Rossum: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
E. F. C. van Rossum: 0Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
R. R. J. M. Vermeiren: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LUMC Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
R. R. J. M. Vermeiren: Parnassia Group, Youz, The Hague, Netherlands
W. A. Ester: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LUMC Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
W. A. Ester: Parnassia Group, Youz, The Hague, Netherlands
W. A. Ester: 1Sarr Autism Rotterdam, Youz, Parnassia Group, Rotterdam, Netherlands

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1303840
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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BackgroundWhile cardiovascular diseases is highly prevalent and an important cause of mortality in autistic adults, knowledge on their increased cardiovascular risk is limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate psychological, behavioral, and physical factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with autistic traits.MethodsIn total, 17,705 adults from the Lifelines Cohort were included and categorized using Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 sum-scores. The quartiles with highest (HQ-traits-group females: n = 2,635; males: n = 1803) and lowest levels of autistic traits (LQ-traits-group, n = idem) were analyzed. Using multivariable logistic regression, the associations between MetS and (self-reported and interviewed) psychological, behavioral, and physically measured factors in these stratified groups were investigated.ResultsAmong females, MetS was more common in the HQ-traits-group than in the LQ-traits-group (10.0% versus 7.5%, p < 0.01), while this was not the case among males (HQ-traits-group 13.8% versus LQ-traits-group 13.1%, p = 0.52). In both the female and male HQ-traits-group, the presence of MetS was associated with poorer self-reported health, less daily physical activity, and altered leukocyte counts.ConclusionThese findings underline the relevance of adequate cardiovascular prevention in adults with higher levels of autistic traits. Future research could gain more insight into the relationship between cardiovascular risk and autistic traits in females, and into tailored cardiovascular prevention.

Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry

ISSN: 1664-0640 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system: Psychiatry
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry

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