Factores de riesgo para trastornos del espectro autista en pacientes del Hospital Francisco Icaza Bustamante período 2019- 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social difficulties, language impairments, and stereotyped behavior patterns. Their high etiological complexity arises from their multifactorial nature. Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical study was conducted using a mixed data collection technique. The sample included 126 patients diagnosed with ASD who were treated at Hospital Francisco Icaza Bustamante between 2019 and 2022. Results: The sample consisted of 77.0% (n=97) males and 23.0% (n=29) females. The mean age of the sample was 9.26 years (SD: 4.08), while the mean age at diagnosis was 2.38 years (SD: 1.91). An association between Asperger syndrome and male sex was found using Pearson's chi-square test (p=0.007), likelihood ratio (p=0.002), and Fisher's exact test (p=0.038). Conclusion: Males predominated in the sample. The mean age at diagnosis aligns with the recommendations of the Clinical Practice Guideline for ASD. The high percentage of concomitant disabilities highlights the need for multidisciplinary interventions. Finally, a significant association between Asperger syndrome and male sex was identified.