Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of adults with autism spectrum disorder (n = 47) and a control group (n = 69)

Mean age (years)

33 ± 8

34 ± 7

0.466^a

Male sex n (%)

25 (53)

34 (49)

0.679^b

Mother’s country of birth, n (%)

Sweden

39 (83)

57 (83)

Other Nordic countries

4 (9)

5 (7)

Other European countries

1 (2)

2 (3)

Rest of the world

3 (6)

5 (7)

0.985^b

Father’s country of birth, n (%)

Sweden

36 (77)

59 (86)

Other Nordic countries

5 (11)

3 (4)

Other European countries

3 (6)

2 (3)

Rest of the world

3 (6)

5 (7)

0.441^b

Highest educational level, n (%)

Elementary school

3 (6)

2 (3)

High school

28 (60)

25 (36)

University/college

16 (34)

41 (59)

0.021^b

Working or studying, n (%)

Full time

11 (23)

63 (91)

Part time

7 (15)

5 (7)

Unemployed/not studying

29 (62)

1 (1)

<0.001^b

Smoking, n (%)

2/47 (4)

9/69 (13)

0.195^c

Snuff, n (%)

4/47 (9)

8/69 (12)

0.759^c

Medication, n (%)

31/47 (66)

7/69 (10)

<0.001^b

Medication with reported side-effect hyposalivation, n (%)

23/47 (47)

1/69 (1)

<0.001^b

AQ single count (range)^d

28.7 ± 10.4 (5.0-46.0)

11.4 ± 4.5 (4.0-28.0)

p < 0.001^a