Co-existing psychiatric problems in ADHD in the ADORE cohort

• Published in: European child & adolescent psychiatry Vol. 15 Suppl 1; no. S1; pp. I25 - i29
• Main Authors: Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph, Nøvik, Torunn Stene, Baldursson, Gisli, Curatolo, Paolo, Lorenzo, Maria J, Rodrigues Pereira, Rob, Ralston, Stephen J, Rothenberger, Aribert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Nature B.V 01.12.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Analysis of Variance; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Child; Child Behavior - psychology; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Europe - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Quality of Life - psychology; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Europe
• ISSN: 1018-8827; 1435-165X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00787-006-1004-y

To study the impact of co-existing psychiatric problems with ADHD on behavioural features, psychosocial functioning and quality of life in subjects of the ADORE cohort (N=1,478). The following six groups of associated psychiatric problems with ADHD were compared: oppositional-defiant disorder or conduct disorder only (ODD/CD); anxiety or depressive disorder only (ANX/DEP); tic/Tourette's disorder only (TIC/Tourette's); developmental co-ordination disorder only (DCD); two or more associated conditions; and none. Dependent variables included the ADHD Rating Scale-IV, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale, the Children's Global Assessment Scale and the Child Health Illness Profile-Child Edition. Having multiple co-existing psychiatric problems increased the severity of ADHD in all domains, be it behavioural features, psychosocial impairment or deterioration of quality of life. A similar though less consistent pattern applied to subjects with co-existing ODD/CD. The ADORE study provides impressive evidence for the far-reaching consequences of co-existing psychiatric problems in children with ADHD that warrant intensive consideration in clinical assessment and treatment.