Polydipsia and autistic traits in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Introduction: Polydipsia, prevalent in 6%-20% of patients with schizophrenia, results in seclusion and prolonged hospitalization. It is also observed in autistic individuals, with previous studies reporting that autism accounted for 20% of all hospitalized patients with polydipsia. The current study investigated the association between polydipsia and autistic traits in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) based on the hypothesis that higher autistic traits would be observed in schizophrenic patients with polydipsia. Methods: In the first study (study A), the autism-spectrum quotient [(AQ); Japanese version] scores of long-stay inpatients with and without polydipsia were compared. Furthermore, the association between polydipsia and autistic traits was also examined in short-stay inpatients and outpatients with SSDs (study B). Results: Study A showed that patients with polydipsia scored significantly higher on the three AQ subscales (attention switching; communication; and imagination) compared to those without. Study B also showed that patients with polydipsia had significantly higher AQ scores overall and for several subscales compared to those without polydipsia. Binary logistic regression analysis of the combined sample showed that male gender and higher autistic traits were significant predictors of polydipsia. Discussion: The study highlights the importance of focusing on such traits to understand the pathogenesis of polydipsia in SSD patients.

Association Between Autistic Symptoms and Self-Stigma in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.

PURPOSE: Self-stigma negatively influences self-esteem, quality of life, self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and recovery in psychiatric patients. By revealing personality traits that influence self-stigma, we can gain useful knowledge for the management of self-stigma. A previous meta-analysis indicated that patients with schizophrenia have higher scores on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) than healthy controls. However, the relationship between autistic symptoms and self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to reveal the association between autistic symptoms and self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited 127 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder). We assessed participants' self-stigma and autistic symptoms using the Internalized Stigma for Mental Illness (ISMI) scale and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), respectively. The differences in the scores of ISMI and AQ according to patient characteristics were investigated. Multiple regression analysis controlling for age and gender was performed to determine the relationship between the total scores on the AQ and IMSI scale. RESULTS: Female patients showed a higher level of self-stigma than males. Unmarried patients showed a significantly higher score on the AQ than married patients. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and gender indicated that the total score on AQ might be a predictor of the overall rating on ISMI in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to reveal the association between autistic symptoms and self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Our results highlight the importance of considering autistic symptoms in the assessment and management of self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.