The comorbidity of ADHD in the general population of Swedish school-age children

Kadesjö, Björn,1945Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för kvinnors och barns hälsa, Avdelningen för barn- och ungdomspsykiatri,Institute for the Health of Women and Children, Dept of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (author)

This study examined patterns of comorbid/associated diagnoses and associated problems in a population sample of children with and without DSM-III-R attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Half (N = 409) of a mainstream school population of Swedish 7-year-olds were clinically examined, and parents and teachers were interviewed and completed questionnaires. The children were followed up 2–4 years later. Eighty-seven per cent of children meeting full criteria for ADHD (N = 15) had one or more—and 67% at least two—comorbid diagnoses. The most common comorbidities were oppositional defiant disorder and developmental coordination disorder. Children with subthreshold ADHD (N = 42) also had very high rates of comorbid diagnoses (71% and 36%), whereas those without ADHD (N = 352) had much lower rates (17% and 3%). The rate of associated school adjustment, learning, and behaviour problems at follow-up was very high in the ADHD groups. We concluded that pure ADHD is rare even in a general population sample. Thus, studies reporting on ADHD cases without comorbidity probably refer to highly atypical samples. By and large, such studies cannot inform rational clinical decisions.

Gillberg, Christopher,1950Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för kvinnors och barns hälsa, Avdelningen för barn- och ungdomspsykiatri,Institute for the Health of Women and Children, Dept of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(Swepub:gu)xgilch (author)
Göteborgs universitetInstitutionen för kvinnors och barns hälsa, Avdelningen för barn- och ungdomspsykiatri (creator_code:org_t)

In:Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines42:04, s. 487-4920021-9630

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MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Clinical Medicin ...; and Psychiatry

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