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Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

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Abstract

The association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and subsequent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the potential effects of medications on STI risk remain unknown. In all, 5076 adolescents and young adults with ASD and 57,060 age-/sex-matched individuals without ASD were enrolled between 2001 and 2009 and followed-up to the end of 2011 for identification of subsequent STIs. The results revealed that patients with ASD were prone to acquiring an STI [hazard ratio (HR) 3.36] compared with the comparison group. Long-term use of atypical antipsychotics was associated with a lower risk of acquiring an STI later in life compared with nonuse (HR 0.34). We recommend that clinicians closely monitor risky sexual behaviors and STI risk in patients with ASD.

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Data Availability

The NHIRD was released and audited by the Department of Health and Bureau of the NHI Program for the purpose of scientific research (https://nhird.nhri.org.tw/). NHIRD can be obtained through the formal application that is regulated by Department of Health and Bureau of the NHI Program.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr I-Fan Hu for his support and friendship.

Funding

Funding Source: The study was supported by grant from Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V111C-010, V111C-040, V111C-029), Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation (CI-109-21, CI-109-22, CI-110-30) and Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST110-2314-B-075-026, MOST110-2314-B-075-024 -MY3, MOST 109-2314-B-010-050-MY3, MOST111-2314-B-075 -014 -MY2, MOST 111-2314-B-075 -013). The funding source had no role in any process of our study. Financial Disclosure All authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan

    Juo-Chi Li, Shih-Jen Tsai & Mu-Hong Chen

  2. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Shih-Jen Tsai & Mu-Hong Chen

  3. Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Tzeng-Ji Chen

  4. Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Tzeng-Ji Chen

  5. Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan

    Tzeng-Ji Chen

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  1. Juo-Chi Li
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Contributions

Dr MHC designed the study and wrote the protocol. Drs MHC and JCL draft manuscript. Dr MHC performed the statistical analyses. Drs MHC, TJC and SJT reviewed the draft and revision, assisted with the preparation and proof-reading of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mu-Hong Chen.

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Li, JC., Tsai, SJ., Chen, TJ. et al. Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 4457–4464 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05732-7

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