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Co-existing psychiatric problems in ADHD in the ADORE cohort

Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph ; Nøvik, Torunn ; Baldursson, Gisli ; Curatolo, Paolo ; Lorenzo, Maria ; Rodrigues Pereira, Rob ; Ralston**, Stephen ; Rothenberger, Aribert

In: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2006, vol. 15, p. i25-i29

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    Title
    • Co-existing psychiatric problems in ADHD in the ADORE cohort
    Author
    • Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph. Dept. of Chid and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Neumünsterallee 9, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland
    • Nøvik, Torunn. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Buskerud Hospital, Drammen, Norway
    • Baldursson, Gisli. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Iceland
    • Curatolo, Paolo. Dept. of Child Neuropsychiatry, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
    • Lorenzo, Maria. Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, Surrey, UK
    • Rodrigues Pereira, Rob. Medical Center Rijnmond South, Dept. of Pediatrics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
    • Ralston**, Stephen
    • Rothenberger, Aribert. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:321812
    Summary
    Abstract : Objective : 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). Methods : 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. Results : 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. Conclusions : 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