[Co-occurring diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and borderline personality disorder]

Co-occurring diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) have received growing attention in recent years. In a register-based study of ASD and BPD diagnoses established among individuals aged 18-40 in the Stockholm region, we examined cases where both diagnoses were present. The number of individuals diagnosed with co-occurring ASD and BPD increased markedly between 2012 and 2022. This group demonstrated significantly higher risk (odds ratio) of other psychiatric diagnoses and inpatient care compared to individuals with only ASD, only BPD, or a clinical comparison group. Notably, there was a twenty-fold increased risk of suicide attempts and severe self-harm. These findings underscore the need for targeted treatment interventions for this vulnerable population.