The Prevalence of Psychotic Experiences in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Autistic Traits: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Several reports have highlighted an association between psychotic experiences (PEs) and autism spectrum disorder/autistic traits; however, no systematic review of the evidence has been done. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane database on November 20, 2018, for studies providing statistical results on the association between PEs and autism spectrum disorder/autistic traits. Meta-analyses were conducted for both the prevalence of PEs in autism spectrum disorder and the correlation coefficients between PEs and autistic traits. Subgroup analyses were conducted for each PE subtype. Among the 17 included studies, 9 had data about prevalence and 8 had data about correlation. The pooled prevalence of PEs in autism spectrum disorder was 24% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14%-34%). However, subanalyses found that prevalence varied between PE subtypes (hallucinations, 6% [95% CI 1%-11%] and delusions, 45% [95% CI 0%-99%]). Pooled results showed that PEs and autistic traits had a weak to medium correlation (r =. 34 [95% CI 0.27-0.41]). Based on our meta-analysis, PEs seem to be more prevalent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder/autistic traits than in the general population, but this finding may vary according to the PE subtype. Future studies should focus on statistical results for each PE subtype separately. More studies should be conducted to clarify the relationship between autism spectrum disorder/autistic traits and PEs by subtype.