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Anxiety Disorders in Williams Syndrome Contrasted with Intellectual Disability and the General Population: A

R Royston¹, P Howlin^2,3, J Waite⁴

¹The Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. rxr180@bham.ac.uk.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

|October 4, 2016

Summary

Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) have a significantly higher risk of anxiety disorders compared to the general and intellectual disability (ID) populations. This study highlights an unusual anxiety profile in WS, emphasizing the need for targeted support.

Area of Science:

Neurodevelopmental disorders
Genetics and mental health
Psychiatric epidemiology

Background:

Individuals with genetic syndromes like Williams syndrome (WS) often exhibit increased susceptibility to mental health conditions.
Anxiety disorders are a common comorbidity in individuals with intellectual disability (ID).
Understanding the prevalence of anxiety in specific genetic syndromes is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of anxiety disorders in individuals with Williams syndrome (WS).
To compare anxiety prevalence in WS with that of the broader intellectual disability (ID) population and the general population.
To investigate the unique anxiety profile associated with WS.

Main Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies on anxiety disorders in WS.
Sixteen studies were included for meta-analysis to derive pooled prevalence estimates.
Prevalence estimates were compared across WS, ID, and general populations.

Main Results:

Estimated rates of anxiety disorders in individuals with WS were found to be high.
WS individuals were approximately four times more likely to experience anxiety disorders compared to individuals with ID.
The risk of anxiety disorders in WS was also significantly elevated compared to the general population.

Conclusions:

Williams syndrome is associated with an unusually high prevalence of anxiety disorders.
The findings underscore a distinct neurodevelopmental profile in WS characterized by heightened anxiety.
Further research and clinical attention are warranted for anxiety in the WS population.

Keywords:

Anxiety disorders Genetic syndromes Intellectual disability Meta-analysis Systematic review Williams syndrome

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