Health-related quality of life in adults with Asperger syndrome

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the health and quality of life in adults with Asperger syndrome. Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed on adults with Asperger syndrome in... [ view full abstract ]

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the health and quality of life in adults with Asperger syndrome.
Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed on adults with Asperger syndrome in collaboration with the Autism Society. Eligible for the study were members of the Autism Society diagnosed with Asperger syndrome who between 1999 and 2015 had participated at least once on an annual weekend seminar for adults with Asperger syndrome. Quality of life was assessed with WHOQOL-BREF and Satisfaction with Life Scale. An age- and gender matched national population sample will serve as reference group.
Preliminary results: Data collection ends on April 15th 2016. The eligible sample consisted of 188 adults with Asperger syndrome, 69 females (36.7%) and 119 males (63.3%) with a mean age of 36.8±9.9 years. Interim descriptive analyses showed that mean age of participants was 36.1±10.2 years, and mean age when diagnosed with Asperger syndrome was 25.6±10.8 years. Mean study observation time was 10.5±6.2 years. Among participants 60% had been employed for a period of at least six months, however currently 76% were unemployed. A majority of participants lived alone, 41% reported on physical pain during the last six months, and more than 70% were medicated. Depression (42%), anxiety (37%), and sleep disorders (34%) were reported most frequent as co-existing disorders.
Preliminary conclusions: Data collection is still ongoing. A more throughout analysis of results and comparison with an age- and gender-matched reference sample will be presented.

The data protection officer at the Oslo University Hospital approved the study. [ view full abstract ]

The data protection officer at the Oslo University Hospital approved the study.