Latent class analysis identifies distinctive behavioral subtypes in children with fragile x syndrome
Kaufmann, W. E., Raspa, M., Bann, C. M., Gable, J. M., Harris, H. K., Budimirovic, D. B., Lozano, R., & FORWARD Consortium (2022). Latent class analysis identifies distinctive behavioral subtypes in children with fragile x syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05821-7
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is characterized by variable neurobehavioral abnormalities, which leads to difficulties in developing and evaluating treatments and in determining accurate prognosis. We employed a pediatric cross-sectional sample (1,072 males, 338 females) from FORWARD, a clinic-based natural history study, to identify behavioral subtypes by latent class analysis. Input included co-occurring behavioral conditions, sleep and sensory problems, autistic behavior scales (SCQ, SRS-2), and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist revised for FXS (ABCFX). A 5-class solution yielded the most clinically meaningful, pharmacotherapy independent behavioral groups with distinctive SCQ, SRS-2, and ABCFX profiles, and adequate non-overlap (≥ 71%): "Mild" (31%), "Moderate without Social Impairment" (32%), "Moderate with Social Impairment" (7%), "Moderate with Disruptive Behavior" (20%), and "Severe" (9%). Our findings support FXS subtyping, for improving clinical management and therapeutic development.
