The UCLA-University of Utah epidemiologic survey of autism: prevalence

Abstract

The authors conducted an epidemiologic survey in Utah using a four-level ascertainment system, blind current diagnostic assessments, and DSM-III criteria. Of 483 individuals ascertained, 241 were diagnosed as having autism. The best estimate for the prevalence rate was 4 per 10,000 population. Autism was not associated with parental education, occupation, racial origin, or religion. Sixty-six percent of the autistic subjects scored below 70 on standardized IQ tests, and females scored proportionately lower than males. Twenty (9.7%) of 207 families had more than one autistic sibling, which supports the authors' previous finding that there may be a familial subtype of autism.

Excess Mortality and Causes of Death in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Follow up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA Autism Epidemiologic Study

“…However, several differences between the California and Utah studies exist that may explain the discrepant findings. The California study ascertained individuals through a single source (California Department of Developmental Services) while the Utah study used an epidemiologically-based sample ascertained from multiple sources (Shavelle et al 2001; Ritvo et al 1989). In addition to requiring participants to be ambulatory, the California study excluded those with several comorbid medical conditions that could also contribute to increased mortality such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis.…”

“…However, both are common among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (Danielsson et al 2005; Depositario-Cabacar and Zelleke 2010; Gillberg and Coleman 1996; Pellock 2004; Ritvo et al 1989; Ritvo et al 1990). Previous studies found a strong association between the presence of epilepsy and risk of death (Gillberg et al 2010; Isager et al 1999; Mouridsen and Brønnum-Hansen 2008; Pickett et al 2011; Shavelle et al 2001).…”

“…The UCLA-University of Utah Epidemiologic Survey of Autism reported on 241 individuals diagnosed with autism, based on DSM III criteria (Ritvo et al 1989). Farley et al (2009) described adult outcomes on 41 high functioning individuals identified in this original study.…”

Gene × Environment Interactions in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms

“…Studies on the prevalence of autism in families with autistic children show a higher rate than in the general population. The concordance rate for siblings of individuals with autism of unknown cause ranges from 5 to 10% and approaches 35% in families with two or more affected children (22–25). Taken together, the rates of AD in siblings of children with autism are on average 50–150 times higher than the rate of autism in the general population, which suggests that autism has a family feature (family meaning here environmental as much as genetic).…”

Sex Differences in Social Perception in Children with ASD

“…ASD is more common in males than females at a ratio estimated to range from 2.7–7.2:1 (Baio, 2012). Notably, this sex ratio has remained consistent despite significant changes in prevalence and in diagnostic criteria (Bryson & Smith, 1998; McMahon & Ritvo, 1989; Fombonne, 2003; Yeargin-Allsopp et al, 2003). Because ASD is more prevalent in males, the majority of published studies related to autism are composed primarily, and in some cases, exclusively, of males; many studies do not directly compare sexes on variables of interest.…”