Antipsychotic Use Trends in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Objective Although irritability and aggression are relevant treatment targets in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability (ID) that may prompt antipsychotic use, antipsychotic prescribing patterns in such youth have not been systematically reviewed. Method We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE/PsycInfo until March 2015 for studies reporting data on the frequency (i) of youth diagnosed with ASDs and/or ID among antipsychotic-treated youth, and (ii) of antipsychotic use in youth with ASD/ID, conducting a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of potential moderators, including publication year, study time point, country, setting, sample size, age, sex, and race. Results Thirty-nine studies were meta-analyzed (n=365,449, age=11.4±6.2 years, males=70.0±10.0%). Among 27 studies (n=273,139, age=11.9±8.0 years, males=67.0±12.9%) reporting on antipsychotic-treated youth, 9.5% (95% CI=7.8%-11.5%) were diagnosed with ASD/ID. In 20 studies (n=209,756) reporting data separately for ASD, 7.9% (95%CI=6.2%-9.9%) had an ASD diagnosis. In 5 longitudinal studies, the proportion of antipsychotic-treated youth with ASD did not change significantly from 1996 to 2011 (6.7% to 5.8%, odds ratio=0.9, 95%CI=0.8-1.0, p=.17). However, later study time point moderated greater ASD/ID proportions (β=0.12, p