Burden and inequality of autism spectrum disorders in global, East asian, and Southeast Asian regions, 1990-2021: result from the global burden of disease study 2021.

INTRODUCTION

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by abnormal behavioral patterns. ASD is frequently comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disorders. However, there remains a gap in research on the burden of ASD in East and Southeast Asia.

METHODS

We stratified the analysis by region, country, age, and sex; used the Sociodemographic Index (SDI) as a pivot to examine the relationship between the burden of autism and SDI through frontier analysis and health inequality analysis; and finally projected global, sex-specific trends in ASD disease burden from 2022 to 2050.

RESULT

The global burden of ASD, including in East and Southeast Asia, has exhibited a generally increasing trend over recent decades. Japan demonstrated a relatively high ASD burden. The analysis revealed that females tend to experience a higher burden than males, and ASD is more prevalent among younger age groups. A positive correlation was observed between SDI and ASD burden, with higher SDI levels associated with greater burden. Health inequality analyses indicated that while ASD prevalence and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) are predominantly concentrated in high-SDI countries, incidence rates are higher in low-SDI regions. Finally, the global burden of ASD among both males and females is projected to continue rising through the year 2050.

CONCLUSION

The burden of ASD in East and Southeast Asia continues to increase year by year. High-SDI countries tend to report a greater disease burden. From 1990 to 2021, nearly all countries in the region experienced a continuous rise in ASD burden. Although there is a growing trend of ASD incidence shifting toward low-SDI countries, prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) remain predominantly concentrated in high-SDI countries. Finally, the global burden of ASD among both males and females is projected to continue rising through 2050.