Effets différentiels selon le sexe dans la relation entre le fonctionnement immunitaire perçu et les traits autistiques

Aperçu: G.M.

Un fonctionnement immunitaire altéré a été démontré chez les personnes avec un diagnostic de trouble du spectre de l'autisme (TSA). L'étude actuelle explore la relation entre le fonctionnement immunitaire perçu et l'expérience des traits de TSA chez les jeunes adultes en bonne santé.

Une corrélation négative significative a été trouvée entre le fonctionnement immunitaire perçu et la sous-échelle AQ "difficultés avec le changement.

Chez les femmes, le fonctionnement immunitaire perçu de 1 élément est significativement corrélé avec les sous-échelles AQ "difficultés avec le changement" et "communication".

Chez les hommes, aucune des sous-échelles AQ n'a été significativement corrélée avec le fonctionnement immunitaire perçu d'un élément. 

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Apr 12;14(4). pii: E409. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14040409.

Differential Gender Effects in the Relationship between Perceived Immune Functioning and Autistic Traits

Mackus M¹, Kruijff D², Otten LS³, Kraneveld AD^4,5, Garssen J^6,7, Verster JC^8,9,10.

Author information

1

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.mackus@uu.nl

2

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. deborahdekruijff@gmail.com.

3

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. l.s.otten@students.uu.nl.

4

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.d.kraneveld@uu.nl.

5

Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.d.kraneveld@uu.nl.

6

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.garssen@uu.nl.

7

Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.garssen@uu.nl.

8

Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.c.verster@uu.nl.

9

Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.c.verster@uu.nl.

10

Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne 3122, Australia. j.c.verster@uu.nl.

Abstract

Altered immune functioning has been demonstrated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study explores the relationship between perceived immune functioning and experiencing ASD traits in healthy young adults. N = 410 students from Utrecht University completed a survey on immune functioning and autistic traits. In addition to a 1-item perceived immune functioning rating, the Immune Function Questionnaire (IFQ) was completed to assess perceived immune functioning. The Dutch translation of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was completed to examine variation in autistic traits, including the domains "social insights and behavior", "difficulties with change", "communication", "phantasy and imagination", and "detail orientation". The 1-item perceived immune functioning score did not significantly correlate with the total AQ score. However, a significant negative correlation was found between perceived immune functioning and the AQ subscale "difficulties with change" (r = -0.119, p = 0.019). In women, 1-item perceived immune functioning correlated significantly with the AQ subscales "difficulties with change" (r = -0.149, p = 0.029) and "communication" (r = -0.145, p = 0.032). In men, none of the AQ subscales significantly correlated with 1-item perceived immune functioning. In conclusion, a modest relationship between perceived immune functioning and several autistic traits was found.

PMID: 28417950

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040409