Are gastrointestinal and sleep problems associated with behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder?

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from concurrent medical symptoms, including gastrointestinal (GI) and sleeping problems. However, there is limited information on the correlation between co-morbidities and autistic behavioral symptoms. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of GI and sleep problems in Chinese ASD children, examined the impacts of GI and sleep problems on autistic behavioral symptoms, and investigated the factors associated with GI and sleep problems. The survey included 169 ASD and 172 healthy children. Data regarding demographic characteristics, GI symptoms, sleep disturbances and behavioral symptoms were collected through questionnaires. GI and sleep problems were prevalent in Chinese ASD children. Moreover, ASD children with GI symptoms reported more severe ASD core symptoms than others. Autistic children's GI symptoms were associated with maternal sleep problems during pregnancy, child's 0-6 month food sources and picky eating. ASD children with sleep disturbances had lower performance in daily living skills, social cognition, social communication and intellectual development than ASD children without sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances were associated with extra nutrient supply during lactation and feeding, and child's picky eating. Autistic children with GI or/and sleep problems may represent clinically relevant subtypes of ASD, for which targeted treatments may be needed.

[Therapeutic choices of penile erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the therapeutic choices of erectile dysfunction (ED) and to improve the therapeutic efficacy for different ED cases. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients with ED were treated repectively with psychological treatment(31 cases), oral testosterone(30 cases), Viagra(121 cases), psychological treatment + Viagra (16 cases), intraurethral PGE1 (8 cases) and intracavemous injection(21 cases). RESULTS: Among those ED patients, 142 (62.6%) cases reported improved erections after they had undergone above-mentioned therapies. The improved patients include 12 cases(38.7%) with psychological treatment, 9 cases (30.0%) with oral testosterone, 91 cases (75.2%) with Viagra, 13 cases (81.3%) with psychological and Viagar, 2 cases (25.0%) with intraurethral PGE1 and 21 cases (71.4%) with intracavemous injection. CONCLUSIONS: ED is a highly individualized disease, therapeutic choices of ED based on patient's situation can benefit those patients.

[Diagnostic approaches of neurogenic erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the diagnostic approaches of neurogenic erectile dysfunction(ED), and to improve the diagnostic efficacy. METHODS: Two hundred and one patients with ED were evaluated by physical examination, IIEF-5, intracavernous injection, colour duplex ultrasonography and bulbocavernosus reflex latency, respectively. RESULTS: Among those ED patients, 173, 201, 106, 57 and 27 cases had undergone above-mentioned examines, 13 neurogenic ED and 188 miscellaneous(and unknown-causes) ED were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Neurogenic erectile dysfunction is a common disorder, the diagnostic approaches should be based on patient's situation.