Prevalence of anxiety disorders in a clinical sample of Chinese children with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong

Little is known about the prevalence of anxiety disorders in Han Chinese children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is an important topic for research as symptoms may be written off as being due to ASD alone.Objective To provide prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in a clinical sample of Han Chinese children with ASD and identify correlates which may be amenable to intervention.Method The pre-existing ASD diagnosis of 165 Hong Kong Han Chinese was confirmed with the Chinese version of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3Di). Anxiety comorbidities were confirmed with the Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Version Four (DISC-IV): parent version.Results The prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders was 52.1%. The prevalence rate of specific phobis was 44.8%, separation anxiety disorder was 11.5%, social anxiety disorder was 9.1%, agoraphobia 0.6%, selective mutism 0.6%, panic disorder 0% and generalized anxiety disorder 0%. Autistic disorder subtype and more severe 3Di scores were significantly associated with anxiety rates, whereas high household income was protective.Conclusion Prevalence rates of comorbid anxiety are high in Hong Kong Han Chinese children with ASD and imperative to catch for early intervention.