Hypothesis / aims of study
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease that includes deficits in social communication and interplay, associated with the presence of limited, repetitive behaviour that are present from early development and can persevere throughout life. Children with ASD often experience urinary dysfunction symptoms, such as voiding issues, incontinence, and constipation, impacting their daily activities but still no consistent information exist in children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urinary dysfunction symptoms and their correlations with ASD severity and sensory patterns.
Study design, materials and methods
Children aged between 3–9 years, diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 were included. Children’s autism severity were reviewed by Childhood Autism Rating Score (CARS) and Rome IV criteria was used for lower urinary tract symptoms using the dysfunctional voiding and incontinence symptoms score, and presence of constipation. Sensory patterns were assessed by Sensory Profile while participation to daily living activities were assessed by WeeFIM. The results were analyzed by SPSS 23. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare nonparametric variables. The associations between categorical variables were tested by X2 test with Yates' continuity correction or Fisher's exact test. All values in the text and tables are expressed for facility as mean ± SD.. A two-sided P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Interpretation of results
Children with ASD have a high prevalence of urinary symptoms, and the presence of symptoms have strong correlations with the severity of ASD and sensory patterns which effects independence in daily living activities.