Enhanced resolution profiling in twins reveals differential methylation signatures of type 2 diabetes with links to its complications.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) susceptibility is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Previous findings suggest DNA methylation as a potential mechanism in T2D pathogenesis and progression. METHODS: We profiled DNA methylation in 248 blood samples from participants of European ancestry from 7 twin cohorts using a methylation sequencing platform targeting regulatory genomic regions encompassing 2,048,698 CpG sites. FINDINGS: We find and replicate 3 previously unreported T2D differentially methylated CpG positions (T2D-DMPs) at FDR 5% in RGL3, NGB and OTX2, and 20 signals at FDR 25%, of which 14 replicated. Integrating genetic variation and T2D-discordant monozygotic twin analyses, we identify both genetic-based and genetic-independent T2D-DMPs. The signals annotate to genes with established GWAS and EWAS links to T2D and its complications, including blood pressure (RGL3) and eye disease (OTX2). INTERPRETATION: The results help to improve our understanding of T2D disease pathogenesis and progression and may provide biomarkers for its complications. FUNDING: Funding acknowledgements for each cohort can be found in the Supplementary Note.

Psychiatric admissions in young people after expiration of criminal justice supervision in Australia: a retrospective data linkage study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health services are available for young people involved with the criminal justice system. However, they have unmet mental health needs after the expiration of criminal justice supervision. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence rate and identify predictors of psychiatric hospitalisations within 24 months after the expiration of criminal justice supervision among young people involved with the New South Wales (NSW) criminal justice system. METHODS: Retrospective data from 1556 individuals aged 14-22 years who participated in four surveys of justice-involved young people in NSW were harmonised and linked to four NSW data collections. We calculated the incidence rates of psychiatric hospitalisations within 24 months postsupervision and identified predictors of these hospitalisations using a competing risks regression analysis. RESULTS: Within 24 months postsupervision, 11.4% had a psychiatric hospitalisation compared with 3.5% during supervision. 20.7% of those admitted had a known history of mental illness and engaged with community-based and outpatient mental health services postsupervision. Predictors of psychiatric hospitalisations were: female sex (adjusted subdistribution HR (asHR) 1.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.73); previous incarceration (highest asHR for ≥4 episodes 1.67, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.78); head injury (asHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.21); personality disorder (asHR 3.66, 95% CI 2.06 to 6.48) and alcohol and substance use disorder (asHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.77). CONCLUSION: Justice-involved youth have higher rates of psychiatric admissions after criminal justice supervision. Engagement with mental health services postsupervision is important in addressing emerging or persisting mental health needs.

Poor mobility and lower limb weakness are associated with three distinct depressive symptom trajectories over 6 years in older people.

OBJECTIVES: Physical decline can be associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in later life. This study aimed to identify physical and lifestyle risk factors for depressive symptom trajectories in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Participants were 553 people aged 70-90 years who underwent baseline physical, psychological and lifestyle assessments. Group-based trajectory analysis was used to identify patterns of depressive symptom development over 6 years of follow-up. Strengths of associations between baseline functional test performances and depressive symptom trajectories were evaluated with univariable ordinal models. Subsequently, the adjusted cumulative odds ratio for the association between identified risk factors, demographic factors and baseline anti-depressant use were measured using multivariable ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: Three distinct depressive symptom trajectories were identified: a low-and-stable course (10% of participants), a low-and-increasing course (81%) and a moderate-and-increasing course (9%). Timed Up and Go test time was the strongest risk factor of depressive symptom trajectory, followed by Five Times Sit-to-Stand test performance, planned physical activity levels, and knee extension strength (adjusted standardised ORs 1.65, 95% CI 1.34-2.04; 1.44, 95% CI 1.16-1.77; 1.44, 95% CI 1.17-1.76 and 1.41, 95% CI 1.15-1.73 respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and baseline anti-depressant use, Timed Up and Go test performance and knee extension strength were independently and significantly associated with depressive trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: Timed Up and Go test times, Five Times Sit-to-Stand test performance, planned physical activity levels and knee extension strength are associated with three discrete depressive symptom trajectories. These clinical tests may help identify older adults aged 70-90 years at risk of developing depressive symptoms and help guide subsequent strength and mobility interventions.

Barriers to healthcare for Australian autistic adults.

LAY ABSTRACT: This study looked at how Australian autistic and non-autistic adults experience barriers to healthcare. We asked autistic and non-autistic adults to complete the Barriers to Healthcare Checklist Short-Form (BHC). We analysed data from 263 autistic adults and 70 non-autistic adults. We found that autistic adults experienced more barriers to healthcare than non-autistic adults. Gender diversity, feeling more anxious, having greater disability and feeling unsatisfied with social support contributed to barriers to healthcare in autistic participants. We recommend interventions such as developing and implementing a national action plan, similar to the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability (2021) to reduce barriers and address unmet healthcare needs of Australian autistic adults. We also recommend working with autistic adults to develop new policies and strategies, implementing environmental adaptations to health care facilities, and increasing Autism education opportunities for health professionals to address gaps in knowledge.

"I've Spent My Whole Life Striving to Be Normal": Internalized Stigma and Perceived Impact of Diagnosis in Autistic Adults.

Background: Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood often leads to improved self-understanding and deeper self-reflection, which can have major impacts on people's well-being and sense of identity. However, autism diagnosis also exposes individuals to societal stigma, which may become internalized over time. This study aimed to explore relationships between psychological and service-related impacts of diagnosis and internalized stigma using mixed methods. Methods: One hundred forty-three autistic adults completed an online survey involving impact of diagnosis domains of Self-Understanding, Well-being, Clinician Support, and Service Access, internalized stigma, and open-ended questions on beliefs about autism diagnosis. Results: On average, participants reported mild levels of internalized stigma and positive impact of diagnosis in all domains except Service Access. Older age at diagnosis was positively associated with Clinician Support only. The path analysis model showed positive relationships between impact of diagnosis domains, with Self-Understanding having a positive effect on Well-being via lowered internalized stigma. We developed four themes of Continuity and Acceptance, Late Diagnosis as Regret and Freedom, Coming to Terms with Being Autistic, and Stigma Resistance from qualitative data. Conclusions: Self-understanding protects against the development of internalized autism stigma. Diagnosticians and service providers play an important role in improving self-understanding and well-being in autistic adults. More research is needed to understand the role of age at diagnosis and mechanisms behind positive identity development after autism diagnosis.

Why is this an important issue?: Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood can help people understand themselves better. This can help them feel better too. Autistic adults' experiences during diagnosis and their experience with support services after diagnosis might also affect how they think and feel about themselves. There are many negative beliefs about autism in society. Some autistic people might think more negatively about themselves because of these beliefs. What was the purpose of this study?: This study tries to understand relationships between the impact of autism diagnosis and negative beliefs about autism in autistic adults. We also wanted to know if age at diagnosis is related to these factors. What did the researcher do?: One hundred forty-five autistic adults filled in an online survey. We asked questions about the impact of autism diagnosis on four aspects: how they understand themselves, their well-being, experiences with the professional who gave the diagnosis, and support services after diagnosis. We also asked questions about autistic adults' negative beliefs about autism. We used the answers to these questions to test a model of how we think these factors might affect each other: good experiences with the professional who gave the diagnosis help with self-understanding and getting support services. Better self-understanding helps autistic adults think less negatively about autism. Better self-understanding, less negative thinking about autism, and better support services all help improve well-being after diagnosis.We asked autistic adults some general questions about the effect of autism diagnosis on their lives. We asked autistic adults whether they think being diagnosed at an older or younger age made a difference. We also asked autistic adults about negative beliefs that some autistic people might have about their autism. We then read these answers and made a list of the important and common ideas in people's answers. What were the results of the study?: In general, autism diagnosis improved autistic adults' self-understanding and well-being. Most autistic adults had good experiences with the diagnosing professional but did not have good support services after diagnosis. On average, autistic adults had a small amount of negative beliefs about autism. People diagnosed at older ages had better support from the health professional who diagnosed them. We did not find any other differences between people diagnosed at different ages. We successfully tested our model of relationships between self-understanding, well-being, experiences with the diagnosing professional, experience of support services, and negative beliefs about autism.Autistic adults said getting the diagnosis did not change who they are. It helped them understand and accept themselves. Some late-diagnosed autistic adults wished they were diagnosed earlier. Others said being diagnosed younger might make you think less of yourself because there was less autism acceptance in society at that time. Both early-diagnosed and late-diagnosed autistic adults said growing older helped them understand what it means to be autistic. Autistic adults also talked about autistic and non-autistic people's negative beliefs about autism. Some autistic adults said that negative beliefs are caused by society not being accepting enough, not because autism itself is bad. This thinking helps autistic adults think more positively about autism. What do these findings add to what was already known?: This is the first study to measure and develop a model of the relationships between impacts of diagnosis and negative beliefs about autism in autistic adults. What are potential weaknesses in this study?: Most people who did our survey were diagnosed as teens and adults. It was hard to measure the effects of age at autism diagnosis because we did not have enough participants diagnosed at young ages. The people who did our survey were mostly female, White, spoke English only, and did not have intellectual disability. This means that the people in our study are not a good representation of all autistic adults in Australia. The questions we used to measure negative beliefs about autism were originally made for people with mental illness. There might be negative beliefs specific to autism that we did not measure. How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?: Our findings tell professionals who diagnose or support autistic adults that it is important to help autistic adults understand what it means to be autistic in a positive way. This will help autistic adults form more positive beliefs about autism and live happier lives.

Filling the Gaps: Evaluation of an Online Continuing Professional Development Program for Australian Registered Nurses to Build Capacity to Care for People With Developmental Disability.

BACKGROUND: People with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability have some of the worst health outcomes of any population group. Internationally, it has been identified that RNs are not adequately prepared to provide care to these groups through mainstream health care services. METHOD: A cross-sectional online evaluation survey of participants who completed learning to build the capacity of RNs to care for people with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability was conducted. RESULTS: The learning site was found to be easily accessible and engaging, and it facilitated knowledge construction. A statistically significant increase in self-reported comfort, confidence, and preparedness compared with the sample of RNs in a national survey conducted before the site launch was identified. CONCLUSION: This online continuing professional development program facilitated RNs' perceived comfort, confidence, and preparedness to care for people with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability. Findings suggest the merit of high-quality online continuing professional development programs to fill this educational gap. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(12):554-560.].

Development of the Impact of Diagnosis Scale-Revised (IODS-R).

No tools quantify the experience, psychological, and practical impact of receiving a diagnosis from a non-deficit perspective. Autism is increasingly late diagnosed in adulthood. The Impact of Diagnosis Scale (IODS) was initially developed for borderline personality disorder. We aimed to develop a revised version suitable for autistic adults and potentially other diagnostic groups. Following a trial of a preliminary revision, the researchers and autistic research advisors co-produced an expanded pool of 46 items, scored on 7-point Likert-type scale, within 6 hypothesized domains. Scale reduction processes were applied to data from 125 formally diagnosed autistic adults. Following iterative rounds of factor analysis using maximum likelihood estimation with Promax rotation, 22 items were retained across 4 domains to comprise the IODS-R. The IODS-R adds new understanding to the experience of receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood. It may be useful for evaluating diagnostic services and other diagnostic groups.

Risk factors for dementia and self-harm: A linkage study.

INTRODUCTION: People living with dementia experience poor mental health and high rates of self-harm. We investigated risk factors for self-harm in people aged > 40 years living with dementia and risk factors for dementia after self-harm. METHODS: Using linked hospital data from New South Wales, Australia, we defined a dementia cohort (n = 154,811) and a self-harm cohort (n = 28,972). Using survival analyses, we investigated predictors of self-harm for the dementia cohort, and predictors of dementia for the self-harm cohort. RESULTS: We found self-harm or dementia diagnoses occurred most often within 24 months of a dementia diagnosis or initial self-harm presentation, respectively. Men living with dementia, and people with complex psychiatric profiles, had the greatest risk of self-harm. Men who had self-harmed had the greatest risk of dementia diagnoses. DISCUSSION: Men and people with complex psychiatric profiles and dementia may particularly benefit from post-diagnosis mental and behavioral support to reduce risk of self-harm.

A scoping review of registered nurses' delegating care and support to unlicenced care and support workers.

AIM: To scope the international literature about registered nurses delegated models of care to unlicenced workers, identify gaps and reflect upon how the evidence relates to nursing in multiple contexts. DESIGN: Scoping review of the peer reviewed literature from the year 2000 onwards, using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. METHODS: The study searched the following databases in February 2022: CINAHL, Medline, ProQuest, and SCOPUS, and included keywords, Boolean operators and subject headings relevant to registered nurses delegating the provision of care to unlicenced workers. RESULTS: A total of 49 articles met the eligibility criteria for this study, and relevant data were extractedThree models of delegation were highlighted within the literature: direct, indirect and a mixture of both. The data highlighted that direct delegation mainly occurred in acute contexts, with delegation decreasing with increasing patient acuity and/or complexity but the threshold of when this would occur was not clear. There was one intervention study that measured patient outcomes which could aid in the determination of what is effective delegation. For studies that did report on it (n = 6), there were few examples of better patient outcomes in cases where care was delegated from registered nurses to unlicenced workers. CONCLUSIONS: The scoping review highlighted heterogeneity in practice areas and methods of delegation practice. A key gap in literature is the absence of studies focusing on patient outcomes, with a clear baseline to measure and identify effective delegation practices. Additionally, the legal and logistical implications presented in both direct and indirect delegation practices is not evident in the literature. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Decisions related to delegation are often made at the service level and prescribed to those who work within the service, suggesting that models of indirect delegation are in fact not delegation at all, rather a re-distribution of nurses' work. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Delegation is a vital component of the scope of practice of registered nurses. This review has highlighted unique differences in delegation by practice context, where the proliferation of unlicensed workers in certain contexts places a vastly different professional and legal burden on the registered nurse.

The Experience of Facilitating Inclusive Research Advisory Groups With Parents and People With Intellectual Disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

There is little nursing research about process issues in conducting inclusive project advisory groups of people with autism and/or intellectual disability or those who are parents/carers of this cohort. Through a descriptive qualitative design, this article aims to analyze the processes, challenges, and solutions when facilitating these groups for a nursing project in Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was utilized to analyze field notes and meeting minutes. Results highlight the need for a defined, robust communication process between researchers and advisory groups, skilled facilitators, and careful planning of when in the life of the project the groups can contribute meaningfully. This project offers a proposed framework for the valuable contribution of lived experiences from research advisory groups.

Brief Report: Longitudinal Role of Coping Strategies on Mental Health Outcomes in Autistic Youth and Adults.

The stress literature suggests that coping strategies are implicated in mental health outcomes. However, the longitudinal relationship between coping strategies and mental health in the autistic adult population has not yet been examined. This 2-year longitudinal study examined the predictive role of both baseline and change in coping strategy use over time (i.e., an increase or decrease) on anxiety, depression, and well-being after 2-years in 87 autistic adults aged 16 to 80 years. Controlling for baseline mental health, both baseline and increase in disengagement coping strategies (e.g., denial, self-blame) predicted higher anxiety and depression, and lower well-being, while an increase in engagement coping strategies (e.g., problem solving, acceptance) predicted higher well-being. These findings extend the current coping literature in autistic adults, offering insight into mental health support and intervention options.

Genetic and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Prior work suggests that higher fruit and vegetable consumption may protect against depression in older adults. Better understanding of the influence of genetic and environmental factors on fruit and vegetable intakes may lead to the design of more effective dietary strategies to increase intakes. In turn this may reduce the occurrence of depression in older adults. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study is to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the consumption of fruit and vegetables in older adults. The secondary aim is an exploratory analysis into possible shared genetic influences on fruit and vegetable intakes and depression. METHODS: Analysis of observational data from 374 twins (67.1% female; 208 monozygotic (MZ); 166 dizygotic (DZ)) aged ≥ 65 years drawn from the Older Australian Twins Study. Dietary data were obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire and depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item short form Geriatric Depression Scale. The contribution of genetic and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable intake were estimated by comparing MZ and DZ twin intakes using structural equation modelling. A tri-variate twin model was used to estimate the genetic and environmental correlation between total fruit and vegetable intakes and depression. RESULTS: In this study, vegetable intake was moderately influenced by genetics (0.39 95%CI 0.22, 0.54). Heritability was highest for brassica vegetables (0.40 95%CI 0.24, 0.54). Overall fruit intake was not significantly heritable. No significant genetic correlations were detected between fruit and vegetable intake and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Vegetable consumption, particularly bitter tasting brassica vegetables, was significantly influenced by genetics, although environmental influences were also apparent. Consumption of fruit was only influenced by the environment, with no genetic influence detected, suggesting strategies targeting the food environment may be particularly effective for encouraging fruit consumption.

Impact of post-release community mental health and disability support on reincarceration for prisoners with intellectual disability and serious mental illness in NSW, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Prisoners with an intellectual disability are overrepresented in custody and more likely to reoffend and be reincarcerated compared with the general prison population. Although prisoners with intellectual disability have many of the same risk factors for recidivism as the general prison population, the high rates of mental illness experienced by this group are key drivers of recidivism. AIMS: We aimed to assess the impact of provision of post-release disability and community mental health support on rates of reincarceration in a cohort with identified intellectual disability and serious mental illness diagnosis. METHOD: We conducted a historical cohort study using linked administrative data-sets, including data on hospital admissions, community mental health, disability support and corrections custody in New South Wales, Australia (n = 484). To assess the time to return to adult custody, we used survival analysis on multiple failure-time data. RESULTS: Over the median follow-up period of 7.4 years, 73.7% (357) received community mental health support, 19.8% (96) received disability support and 18.6% (85) received a combination of supports during a post-release period from prison. Lower hazards of reincarceration in a post-release period were associated with receipt of community mental health support (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58, CI 0.49-0.69, P < 0.001), or a combination of community mental health and disability support (HR = 0.46, CI 0.34-0.61, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of reincarceration for prisoners with intellectual disability and history of serious mental illness may be modifiable by provision of appropriate mental health and disability supports.

Towards the measurement of autistic burnout.

LAY ABSTRACT: Autistic burnout has been talked about by autistic adults for some time on blogs and in social media. Now, research describes fatigue, exhaustion and other related symptoms experienced by autistic people. We need new ways to help identify autistic burnout. In this study, we tested a new questionnaire called the AASPIRE Autistic Burnout Measure, and we investigated things that are linked to worse autistic burnout. We also trialled a group of Autistic Burnout Severity Items that we made. Working with an autistic researcher, we made the Autistic Burnout Severity Items based on published definitions of autistic burnout. Autistic adults (n = 141) who had experienced autistic burnout completed an online survey. We found that autistic burnout was connected to masking and depression. The Autistic Burnout Measure tool was associated with depression but not with masking. It was not very accurate in telling apart participants who were currently experiencing burnout versus those who were reporting on their past experience. The Autistic Burnout Severity Items might have problems with subscales adding together to measure autistic burnout. More work is needed on how to measure autistic burnout. Our research and other recent studies show autistic people experience a combination of exhaustion, withdrawal and problems with their concentration and thinking. Burnout seems to be linked to the stress experienced by autistic people in their daily lives. We need more research to understand the difference between autistic burnout and other conditions and experiences. We need to develop assessment tools that can help identify this burnout.

Confirming the nature of autistic burnout.

LAY ABSTRACT: Autistic burnout is something autistic people have been talking about for a while (see #AutBurnout and #AutisticBurnout on social media). Recently, researchers published two different definitions of autistic burnout. We wanted to test these definitions. We wanted to confirm the duration and frequency of autistic burnout. That is, how long and how often do people get autistic burnout? We surveyed 141 autistic adults who had autistic burnout. We used descriptive statistics, content analysis and reflexive thematic analysis to analyse the survey responses. Autistic adults strongly agreed with the definition published by Higgins et al. How long and how often people get autistic burnout was not clear. Participants told us they have both short and long episodes. Participants told us that autistic burnout leads to exhaustion. They needed to withdraw from being with other people. They needed to stay away from autism unfriendly places. Many had been misdiagnosed as having depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder or other conditions. We need increased awareness of autistic burnout. Autistic people need more help. More research is needed, we need to have bigger studies to understand autistic burnout.

Hospital service utilisation of people previously hospitalised with different subtypes of psychotic disorder: A record linkage study.

OBJECTIVE: Little research has examined the physical and mental comorbidities, and health service use patterns, of people diagnosed with psychotic disorder subtypes other than schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This study aims to examine the physical and mental comorbidities, and subsequent hospital service use patterns, of individuals previously hospitalised with various psychotic disorder subtypes using linked health service data. METHODS: We included individuals hospitalised with a psychotic disorder in New South Wales, Australia, between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2014 (N = 63,110). We examined the demographic profile of the cohort and rates of subsequent acute hospital care and ambulatory mental health service use. We compared the rates of subsequent hospital admissions, emergency department presentations and ambulatory mental health treatment days of people hospitalised with different psychotic disorder subtypes to people hospitalised with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using Poisson regression. RESULTS: People most recently hospitalised with mood/affective disorders and psychotic symptoms had a higher rate of subsequent hospital admissions than those most recently hospitalised with schizophrenia spectrum and delusional disorders (adjusted incident rate ratio = 1.06; 95% confidence interval = [1.02, 1.10]), while people most recently hospitalised with drug-induced and other organic (adjusted incident rate ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval = [1.12, 1.27]) and acute psychotic disorders (adjusted incident rate ratio = 1.10; 95% confidence interval = [1.03, 1.18]) had more subsequent emergency department presentations than those most recently hospitalised with schizophrenia spectrum and delusional disorders. All three groups had fewer subsequent mental health ambulatory days than those most recently hospitalised with schizophrenia spectrum and delusional disorders (adjusted incident rate ratios = 0.85-0.91). CONCLUSION: The health profiles and subsequent hospital service use patterns of people previously hospitalised with different psychotic disorder subtypes are heterogeneous, and research is needed to develop targeted health policies to meet their specific health needs.

The Association Between Problematic Use of Alcohol and Drugs and Repeat Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation.

Aims: We investigated the association between problematic use of alcohol and/or drugs (PUAD) and the incidence, urgency, and mode of discharge for a subsequent episode of self-harm (SH) or suicidal ideation (SI). Methods: This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of individuals admitted to hospital for an index episode of SH/SI (2010-2014) using linked data from hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations. The outcome variables were (1) subsequent presentation to the ED for SH/SI, (2) triage category, and (3) mode of departure. Key predictors were PUAD. Results: In total, 23,007 individuals were admitted to hospital for an index SH/SI, of whom 8% had a subsequent presentation to an ED for SH/SI within a year. The odds of subsequent presentation was increased in those with problematic alcohol use (AOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.36, 1.92), drug use (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07, 1.53), and mental health diagnoses (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.44, 1.85). Those with problematic alcohol use were more likely to be assigned to the most urgent triage categories (AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.32, 2.56). Limitations: Defining SH and PUAD using administrative data is challenging, and the true prevalence is likely to be underestimated. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of drug health intervention as a key component of self-harm prevention.

High polygenic risk score for exceptional longevity is associated with a healthy metabolic profile.

Healthy metabolic measures in humans are associated with longevity. Dysregulation leads to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and negative health outcomes. Recent exceptional longevity (EL) genome wide association studies have facilitated estimation of an individual's polygenic risk score (PRS) for EL. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with high ELPRS have a low prevalence of MetS. Participants were from five cohorts of middle-aged to older adults. The primary analyses were performed in the UK Biobank (UKBB) (n = 407,800, 40-69 years). Replication analyses were undertaken using three Australian studies: Hunter Community Study (n = 2122, 55-85 years), Older Australian Twins Study (n = 539, 65-90 years) and Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (n = 925, 70-90 years), as well as the Swedish Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies (n = 2273, 70-93 years). MetS was defined using established criteria. Regressions and meta-analyses were performed with the ELPRS and MetS and its components. Generally, MetS prevalence (22-30%) was higher in the older cohorts. In the UKBB, high EL polygenic risk was associated with lower MetS prevalence (OR = 0.94, p = 1.84 × 10-42) and its components (p < 2.30 × 10-8). Meta-analyses of the replication cohorts showed nominal associations with MetS (p = 0.028) and 3 MetS components (p < 0.05). This work suggests individuals with a high polygenic risk for EL have a healthy metabolic profile promoting longevity.

A Qualitative Study of Adults' and Support Persons' Experiences of Support After Autism Diagnosis.

Adulthood autism diagnosis has become increasingly common, but little is known about post-diagnosis support experiences and needs. We interviewed 19 autistic adults and 4 support persons on experiences of formal and informal post-diagnosis support. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Participants reported difficulties accessing suitable formal support, especially regarding education and employment. Informal support was helpful but created challenges in the relationships between autistic adults and support persons. For autistic adults, support from autistic peers fostered belonging and self-acceptance. We also identified complex interactions between adults' post-diagnosis identity development and support experiences as they resolved the dilemma between self-acceptance and a desire to change. Findings have important implications for services working with autistic adults and their families.

Experiences of Support Following Autism Diagnosis in Adulthood.

This study aimed to explore experiences of support after adulthood autism diagnosis. In this mixed-methods survey study of 137 adults, we found that most common formal supports received were counselling and mental health. Common unmet support needs were sensory sensitivities and accessing other services. Cost, lack of information, and fear of not being taken seriously were common barriers. Informal support was mainly helpful for self-understanding and emotions toward diagnosis. Qualitative findings included difficulties accessing formal support, need for practical quality-of-life supports and support from autistic peers and online communities. Based on these findings, future development of supportive interventions should address unmet needs, improve access, and explore the integration of autistic peer support and online support into formal services.