How we made the decision

We check our guidelines regularly to ensure they remain up to date. We based the decision on surveillance 4 years after the publication of Autism spectrum disorder in adults (2012) NICE guideline CG142.

For details of the process and update decisions that are available, see ensuring that published guidelines are current and accurate in 'Developing NICE guidelines: the manual'.

Previous surveillance update decisions for the guideline are on our website.

New evidence

We found 38 new studies in a search for randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews published between 27 November 2013 and 3 March 2016. We also considered 2 additional studies identified by members of the guideline committee who originally worked on this guideline.

Evidence identified in previous surveillance 2 years after publication of the guideline was also considered. This included 10 studies identified by search.

From all sources, 50 studies were considered to be relevant to the guideline.

We also checked for relevant ongoing research, which will be evaluated again at the next surveillance review of the guideline.

See appendix A: summary of new evidence from surveillance and references for all new evidence considered.

Views of topic experts

We considered the views of topic experts, including those who helped to develop the guideline.

Views of stakeholders

Stakeholders commented on the decision not to update the guideline. See appendix B for stakeholders' comments and our responses.

Three stakeholders agreed with the decision not to update the guideline and another two disagreed, expressing a need for the guideline to be updated in the area of organisation of care. Relevant ongoing research was cited relating to specialist autism teams.

In the current surveillance review none of the new evidence considered was thought to have an impact on the current recommendations. Two stakeholders agreed and another two disagreed with the decision to place NICE guideline CG142 on the static list. The ongoing research relating to specialist autism teams was cited again to indicate the need for regular surveillance. Given that this research is due to be published in the near future, we decided not to place NICE guideline CG142 on the static list.

See ensuring that published guidelines are current and accurate in 'Developing NICE guidelines: the manual' for more details on our consultation processes.

NICE Surveillance programme project team

Sarah Willett
Associate Director

Philip Alderson
Consultant Clinical Adviser

Emma McFarlane
Technical Adviser

Stephen Sharp
Technical Analyst

The NICE project team would like to thank the topic experts who participated in the surveillance process.


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