Evidence map›Paper›PMID 24717046›Full record

ArticleMolecular autism2014

Uncovering steroidopathy in women with autism: a latent class analysis.

Alexa Pohl, Sarah Cassidy, Bonnie Auyeung, Simon Baron-Cohen

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular autism, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 42 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
42citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
3.0field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

42 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 100 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  14. Autistic mothers' perinatal well-being and parenting styles.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2022
    Article
  15. Examination of pubertal timing and tempo in females and males with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing youth.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research · 2022
    Article
  16. Menstruation and menopause in autistic adults: Periods of importance?Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2022
    Article
  17. Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2022
    Article
  18. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Alexa PohlAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK.
Sarah CassidyAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK ; Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, James Starley Building, Cox Street, Coventry CV1 5LW, UK.
Bonnie AuyeungAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK ; Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9 AD, UK.
Simon Baron-CohenAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK ; CLASS Clinic, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, The Chitra Sethia Autism Centre, The Gatehouse, Fulborn Hospital, Fulborn, Cambridge CB21 5EF, UK.
University of Cambridge · GBCoventry University · GBMental Health Foundation · GB

Funding

Medical Research Council G0600977
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrenatal exposure to increased androgens has been implicated in both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and autism spectrum conditions (ASC), suggesting that PCOS may be increased among women with ASC. One study suggested elevated steroidopathic symptoms ('steroidopathy') in women with ASC. As the symptoms are not independent, we conducted a latent class analysis (LCA). The objectives of the current study are: (1) to test if these findings replicate in a larger sample; and (2) to use LCA to uncover affected clusters of women with ASC.

methodsWe tested two groups of women, screened using the Autism Spectrum Quotient - Group 1: n = 415 women with ASC (mean age 36.39 ± 11.98 years); and Group 2: n = 415 controls (mean age 39.96 ± 11.92 years). All participants completed the Testosterone-related Medical Questionnaire online. A multiple-group LCA was used to identify differences in latent class structure between women with ASC and controls.

resultsThere were significant differences in frequency of steroid-related conditions and symptoms between women with ASC and controls. A two-class semi-constrained model best fit the data. Based on response patterns, we identified the classes as 'Typical' and 'Steroidopathic'. The prevalence of the 'Steroidopathic' class was significantly increased within the ASC group (ΔG (2) = 15, df =1, P = 0.0001). In particular, we confirmed higher frequencies of epilepsy, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, severe acne, gender dysphoria, and transsexualism, and differences in sexual preference in women with ASC.

conclusionsWomen with ASC are at increased risk for symptoms and conditions linked to steroids. LCA revealed this steroidopathy despite the apparent underdiagnosis of PCOS.

Indexed as

AutismHormonesPolycystic ovary syndromeSex steroidsTestosterone

Identifiers

PMID24717046
PMCPMC4022124
OpenAlexW2108214864

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.