QuestionQuestion
Does secretin improve the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children aged between 2 and 12 years old with ASDs?.
Outcomes
Principal outcomes included core symptoms of ASDs (including language and communication impairment, and cognitive and social skill deficits) and common comorbid symptoms (including sleep, anxiety, hyperactivity and challenging behaviour).
MethodsDesign
Systematic review.
Data sources
MEDLINE (via PubMed), PsycINFO, ERIC were searched from 2000 to May 2010. To identify additional studies, reference lists of all included articles were hand searched and clinical trials related to therapies for ASDs were reviewed.
Study selection and analysis
All studies of secretin with at least 30 participants younger than 12 years with ASDs, regardless of study design. Only studies published in and after the year 2000 were included, as this was after publication of the DSM-IV and the widespread use of gold-standard ASD assessment tools. Two reviewers independently extracted study data and assessed the…