A Family-Centered Approach to Planning and Measuring the Outcome of Interventions for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The ADHD teen integrative data analysis longitudinal (TIDAL) dataset: background, methodology, and aims

BACKGROUND

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Teen Integrative Data Analysis Longitudinal (TIDAL) dataset integrates data from four randomized trials.

METHOD

Participants with ADHD (N = 854; 72.5% male, 92.5% racial/ethnic minority, ages 10-17) were assessed three times across 12 months. Data includes parent, self, and teacher ratings, observations, and school records. The battery was harmonized using an Integrative Data Analysis (IDA) approach to form variables that assign unique values to all participants.

RESULTS

The data will be used to investigate: (1) profiles that organize the heterogeneous population into clinically meaningful subgroups, (2) whether these profiles predict treatment response, (3) heterogeneity in treatment response and variables that predict this response, (4) how treatment characteristics and adjunctive supports predict treatment response, and (5) mediators of treatment and whether these mechanisms are moderated by treatment characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The ADHD TIDAL Dataset will be openly shared with the field to maximize its utility.

Correlación entre discapacidad y calidad de vida en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad

Introducción. El trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) genera limitaciones en las actividades y restricciones en la participación, de allí que deba abordarse desde un modelo biopsicosocial que considere la dimensión calidad de vida (CV).Objetivo. Correlacionar el grado de discapacidad a nivel escolar con la CV en niños con TDAH.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio correlacional en una muestra no probabilística de 106 niños de 8 a 12 años de Cali, Colombia. Se utilizaron los instrumentos MINIKID, KIDSCREEN-27 versiones padres y niños y el Cuestionario para Limitaciones en Actividad y Restricciones en Participación TDAH Versión Profesores. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo de características sociodemográficas y CV y un análisis correlacional entre grado de discapacidad con CV.Resultados. El promedio de edad de los niños estudiados fue de 9.6±1.19 años, predominó el género masculino y TDAH de tipo combinado. La CV es bien valorada por padres y niños, pero los puntajes bajos se presentan en la dimensión “El colegio”. No se encontró correlación entre CV y grado de discapacidad.Conclusión. Los padres y niños con TDAH valoran positivamente la CV, pero hay tendencia a una valoración menor en la dimensión colegio. No existe correlación entre CV y grado de discapacidad a nivel escolar.

Parental efficacy and child behavior in a community sample of children with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Most studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) youth have obtained data from the perspective of either children or parents, but not both simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to examine child and parent perspectives on parenting in a large community-based sample of children with and without ADHD. We identified children in grades 4-6 and their parents through surveys administered to a random sample of public schools. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine independent associations between child and parent characteristics and the presence of ADHD while controlling for covariates and clustering by school. Sufficient data were achieved for 2,509 child/parent dyads. Ten percent of youths (n = 240) had been diagnosed with ADHD. Compared with those without ADHD, those with ADHD were more commonly male (67.9 vs. 48.0 %, p < .001) and age 12 or over (16.3 vs. 10.3 %). After adjusting for covariates and clustering, compared to children without ADHD, children with ADHD were significantly more likely to report lower self-regulation (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI = 0.53, 0.88) and higher levels of rebelliousness (OR = 2.00, 95 % CI = 1.52, 2.69). Compared with parents whose children did not have ADHD, parents of children with ADHD rated their overall parental efficacy substantially lower (OR = 0.23, 95 % CI = 0.15, 0.33). However, child assessment of parenting style was similar by ADHD. Despite the internal challenges community-based youth with ADHD face, many parents of ADHD youth exhibit valuable parental skills from the perspective of their children. Feedback of this information to parents may improve parental self-efficacy, which is known to be positively associated with improved ADHD outcomes.

Development of an instrument to measure parents' preferences and goals for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVES

To describe the development and validation of an instrument to measure parents' attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment preferences and goals.

METHODS

Parents of children 6 to 12 years of age diagnosed with ADHD in the past 18 months were recruited from 8 primary care sites and an ADHD treatment center (autism excluded). A 16-item medication, 15-item behavior therapy preference scale and a 23-item goal scale, were developed after a review of the literature, 90 parent and clinician semistructured interviews, and input from parent advocates and professional experts were administered to parents. Parent cognitive interviews confirmed item readability, clarity, content, and response range. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis and assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability and construct and concurrent validity.

RESULTS

We recruited 237 parents (mean child age 8.1 years, 51% black, 59% from primary care, 61% of children medication naive). Factor analyses identified 4 medication preference subscales (treatment acceptability, feasibility, stigma, and adverse effects, Cronbach's α 0.74-0.87); 3 behavior therapy subscales (treatment acceptability, feasibility, and adverse effects, α 0.76-0.83); and 3 goal subscales (academic achievement, behavioral compliance, and interpersonal relationships, α 0.83-0.86). The most strongly endorsed goal was academic achievement. The scales demonstrated construct validity, concurrent validity (r = 0.3-0.6) compared with the Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire and Impairment Rating Scale and moderate to excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient = 0.7-0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a valid and reliable instrument for measuring preferences and goals for ADHD treatment, which may help clinicians more easily comply with new national treatment guidelines for ADHD that emphasize shared decision making.

In their own words: adolescent views on ADHD and their evolving role managing medication

OBJECTIVE

Up to 90% of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain functionally impaired, yet less than half continue to take medication. The objective of this study was to gain a detailed understanding of how adolescents with ADHD contribute to medication treatment decisions.

METHODS

Forty-four adolescents with ADHD aged 13 to 18 years old participated in 1 of 7 focus groups. An experienced facilitator used a semi-structured focus group guide to prompt discussion which was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We coded transcripts using an inductive approach. Thematic saturation was reached after the seventh focus group.

RESULTS

Adolescents assumed increased responsibility for managing medication as they matured and developed insight into the functional impact of ADHD and medication on their lives. Insights were often formed by contrasting time spent on and off medication. ADHD impacted functioning in the following domains: academics, social interactions and relationships, creativity, and driving skills. Select domains were relevant for some adolescents but not others. Adolescents described different roles that they played in managing medication as well as strategies they used to exert autonomy over medication use. Side effects were common and contributed to negative feelings toward medication. Some adolescents had begun to use medication selectively. Many expressed uncertainty about future use of medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents assume an increasing role in managing medication for ADHD. Well-structured and coordinated trials stopping medication and measuring outcomes relevant to adolescents, parents, teachers, doctors, and/or other stakeholders may help ensure a developmentally appropriate transition from family to self-management of ADHD.

Treatment planning for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: treatment utilization and family preferences

BACKGROUND

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that often results in child and family functional impairments. Although there are evidence-based treatment modalities available, implementation of and persistence with treatment plans vary with patients. Family preferences also vary and may contribute to variability in treatment utilization.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to describe the evidence-based treatments available for ADHD, identify patterns of use for each modality, and examine patient and parent treatment preferences.

METHOD

Literature review.

RESULTS

Treatment options differ on benefits and risks/costs. Therefore, treatment decisions are preference sensitive and depend on how an informed patient/parent values the tradeoffs between options. Literature on patient and parent ADHD treatment preferences is based on quantitative research assessing the construct of treatment acceptability and qualitative and quantitative research that assesses preferences from a broader perspective. After a child is diagnosed with ADHD, a variety of factors influence the initial selection of treatment modalities that are utilized. Initial parent and child preferences are shaped by their beliefs about the nature of the child's problems and by information (and misinformation) received from a variety of sources, including social networks, the media, and health care providers. Subsequently, preferences become further informed by personal experience with various treatment modalities. Over time, treatment plans are revisited and revised as families work with their health care team to establish a treatment plan that helps their child achieve goals while minimizing harms and costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies have not been able to determine the extent to which utilization rates are consistent with the underlying distribution of informed patient/parent treatment preferences. There are challenges to ensure that patient/parent preferences are consistently well informed, elicited, and discussed in the treatment planning process. Interventions are needed to promote such interactions.

The economic impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents

Using a cost of illness (COI) framework, this article examines the economic impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and adolescence. Our review of published literature identified 13 studies, most conducted on existing databases by using diagnostic and medical procedure codes and focused on health care costs. Two were longitudinal studies of identified children with ADHD followed into adolescence. Costs were examined for ADHD treatment-related and other health care costs (all but 1 study addressed some aspect of health care), education (special education, 2 studies; disciplinary costs: 1 study), parental work loss (2 studies), and juvenile justice (2 studies). Based on this small and as yet incomplete evidence base, we estimated annual COI of ADHD in children and adolescents at $14,576 per individual (2005 dollars). Given the variability of estimates across studies on which that number is based, a reasonable range is between $12,005 and $17,458 per individual. Using a prevalence rate of 5%, a conservative estimate of the annual societal COI for ADHD in childhood and adolescence is $42.5 billion, with a range between $36 billion and $52.4 billion. Estimates are preliminary because the literature is incomplete; many potential costs have not been assessed in extant studies. Limitations of the review and suggestions for future research on COI of ADHD are provided.