Increased Prevalence of Familial Autoimmunity in Probands With Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Thayne L. Sweeten, Suzanne L. Bowyer, David J. Posey, Gary M. Halberstadt, Christopher J. McDougle

Article Figures & Data

Table 1.

Descriptive Data for Probands and Response Rates to the Questionnaire*

↵* Each group consists of 101 families.
↵† Compared with healthy: t = 7.13, P < .0001.
‡ Response rate indicates the proportion of questionnaires completed of the number distributed to each group.

Table 2.
Mean Number of First- or Second-Degree Family Members With Autoimmune Disorders per Family and Number of Families in Each Group With a Specific Autoimmune Disorder*
PDD Autoimmune Healthy
Mean Number per Family 1.87 ± 1.6†‡ 1.44 ± 1.5§ 0.93 ± 1.1
Hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto’s thyroiditis 36‖¶ 11 14
Rheumatic fever 23# 10 6
Multiple sclerosis 7 2 1
↵* Each group consists of 101 families.
↵† Compared with autoimmune: t = 2.03; P = .03.
↵‡ Compared with healthy: t = 4.90; P = .000003.
↵§ Compared with healthy: t = 2.72; P = .01.
↵‖ Compared with autoimmune: χ² = 18.06; P = .00002.
↵¶ Compared with healthy: χ² = 13.21; P = .0003.
↵# Compared with healthy: χ² = 12.31; P = .0005.
Table 3.
Number of Families That Have at Least One Specified Member With an Autoimmune Disorder*
PDD Autoimmune Healthy
Parent 31† 28 12
Mother 26 17 10
Father 5 13 2
Sibling 8 6 2
Brother 5 2 0
Sister 3 4 2
Grandparent 55 48 35
Grandmother 47 35 28
Grandfather 23 22 14
Uncle 17 11 6
Aunt 25 25 17
Cousin 12 10 8
↵* Each group consists of 101 families.
↵† Compared with healthy: χ² = 10.97; P = .0009.

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	PDD	Autoimmune	Healthy
Mean Number per Family	1.87 ± 1.6†‡	1.44 ± 1.5§	0.93 ± 1.1
Hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto’s thyroiditis	36‖¶	11	14
Rheumatic fever	23#	10	6
Multiple sclerosis	7	2	1