Assessment of suicidality in children and adolescents with diagnosis of high functioning autism spectrum disorder in a Turkish clinical sample

Figures & data

Table 1 Suicidality risk factors of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Characteristics	Suicidal group (N=16)	Non-suicidal group (N=39)	P-value
Mean age, SD (years)	13.4±2.0	13.7±3.2	0.67
Prepubertal:pubertal	4:12	14:25	0.43
Male: female	15:1	34:5	0.46
ASD subtypes
AD	7	17	0.89
AS	8	18
PDD-NOS	1	4
Positive history of self mutilation	3	16	0.52
Positive family history of completed suicide	3	1	0.002*
Positive family history of lethal and nonlethal suicidal behaviors	6	4	0.026*
Positive family history of alcohol/substance use disorder	1	7	0.25
Parental loss or divorce	3	16	0.52

Note:

* P<0.05, statistically significant difference.

Abbreviations: ASD, autism spectrum disorder; AD, autistic disorder; AS, Asperger’s syndrome; PDD-NOS, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Comparison of comorbid disorders between the suicidal group and non-suicidal group

Comorbidity	Suicidal group (N=16)	Non-suicidal group (N=39)	P-value
Mean number of comorbid disorders	1.93	1.48	0.17
Mood disorders	5 (31%)	8 (20.5%)	0.30
Depression	3 (18.7%)	7 (18%)	0.61
Bipolar	2 (12.5%)	1 (2.5%)	0.20
Anxiety disorders	7 (44%)	17 (44%)	0.61
Generalized anxiety disorder	1 (6.2%)	2 (5%)
Separation anxiety disorder	0 (0%)	1 (2.5%)
Obsessive compulsive disorder	2 (12.5%)	8 (20.5%)
Social phobia	1 (6.2%)	2 (5%)
Specific phobia	1 (6.2%)	3 (7.7%)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder	8 (50%)	28 (72%)	0.11
Psychotic features	4 (25%)	1 (2.6%)	0.02*
In mood disorder	2 (12.5%)	1 (2.5%)
In psychotic disorders	2 (12.5%)	0 (0%)

Note:

* P<0.05, statistically significant.