Comorbidity and Electroencephalogram Alterations in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder from Sancti Spíritus

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders are associated with epileptiform alterations and a variety of comorbidities that worsen the evolution of the disease. Their early identification and attention ensure better patient care.

Objective: To describe the electroencephalogram alterations and comorbidities present in the infantile-juvenile population with autism spectrum disorders from Sancti Spíritus province.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was carried out. The universe consisted of 41 children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders from Sancti Spíritus and who met the inclusion criteria. Qualitative and quantitative variables related to the clinical and epidemiological profiles were used, together with sociodemographic variables. The data were collected by reviewing the clinical record of consultation and applying a survey elaborated for this purpose; these were presented in a database and processed by means of the SPSS 25.0 statistical package.

Results: 41.46 % of the cases were aged between 7 and 10 years and 80.48 % were male. 58.53 % had no family history of psychiatric diseases. 90.24 % had a history of pre-, peri- and postnatal noxae. 56.09 % had electroencephalographic alterations and 100 % had some comorbidity.

Conclusions: Most of the patients with autism spectrum disorder were aged between 7 and 10 years, male, with no family history of psychiatric diseases and pre-, peri- or postnatal noxae. They presented electroencephalographic alterations, especially paroxysmal alpha dominant activity. All had some comorbidity, either psychiatric and clinical.