Biomaterial Database

Anorexia nervosa and comorbid autism spectrum disorders. 2021

Emma Saure, and Marja Laasonen, and Anu Raevuori

Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki.

Traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are overrepresented among individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and may also moderate the behavioral manifestation of AN. This review aims to provide an overview of AN and comorbid ASD. Elevated ASD traits do not seem to precede AN among some individuals but are rather related to the illness stage. However, studies have suggested that there are ASD-specific mechanisms for developing AN in a subgroup of individuals with AN. Pronounced traits of ASD and diagnosed ASD are associated with illness prolongation and poorer outcomes in AN, and individuals with AN and elevated ASD traits may benefit less from many of the current treatments. Studies do not support a specific genetic relationship between ASD and AN. Recent research encourages the improved recognition of elevated ASD traits in individuals with AN and provides grounds for developing tailored treatments for those with this comorbidity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000067877	Autism Spectrum Disorder	Wide continuum of associated cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders, including, but not limited to, three core-defining features: impairments in socialization, impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors. (from DSM-V)	Autistic Spectrum Disorder,Autism Spectrum Disorders,Autistic Spectrum Disorders,Disorder, Autistic Spectrum
D000856	Anorexia Nervosa	An eating disorder that is characterized by the lack or loss of APPETITE, known as ANOREXIA. Other features include excess fear of becoming OVERWEIGHT; BODY IMAGE disturbance; significant WEIGHT LOSS; refusal to maintain minimal normal weight; and AMENORRHEA. This disorder occurs most frequently in adolescent females. (APA, Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 1994)	Anorexia Nervosas,Nervosa, Anorexia,Nervosas, Anorexia
D015897	Comorbidity	The presence of co-existing or additional diseases with reference to an initial diagnosis or with reference to the index condition that is the subject of study. Comorbidity may affect the ability of affected individuals to function and also their survival; it may be used as a prognostic indicator for length of hospital stay, cost factors, and outcome or survival.