697 – Prevalence of adhd in a french community sample of 892 children: results from the chip-ard study

• Published in: European psychiatry Vol. 28; p. 1
• Main Authors: Caci, H, Morin, A.J.S, Bouchez, J, Baylé, F.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier SAS 2013
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1016/S0924-9338(13)75925-X

Introduction In many European countries including France, awareness for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasing. Unfortunately, estimates of prevalence based on validated instruments and reasonably large and representative samples are still lacking in many of these countries. Aims This study aims to estimate the prevalence rates of ADHD in school-aged children based on teacher ratings of the ADHD rating scale (ADHD-RS-IV) and of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms scale of the Normal-Behavior (SWAN). These scales differ in item wording and scoring, and have both been extensively validated. Methods 892 youths aged from 5 to 18 are included in the present study. Maximum-likelihood prevalence rates were estimated (based on recommended scoring criteria) in the entire sample and in gender (boys vs. girls) and age (below and above 12 years-old) subgroups. Results Using the ADHD-RS, 10.65% of youths might have ADHD (4.37% Predominantly Inattentive subtype, 3.36% Combined subtype and 2.91% Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype). Boys were more affected than girls (sex ratio 1.4:1), children were more affected than adolescents, and ADHD girls were more likely to be of the Inattentive subtype. Using the SWAN, 2.25% of youths might have ADHD (1.13% Combined subtype, .90% Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype, .34% Predominantly Inattentive subtype). No overall differences between genders were observed, children were more affected than adolescents, and ADHD boys were more likely to be of hyperactive-impulsive subtype. Conclusion There are true differences according to the rating scales. Teacher ratings provide useful information that also has to be combined with parental and clinical ratings.