Quality of life in adults aged 50+ with ADHD

The Role of Age in Adult ADHD Quality Care: A Longitudinal Analysis of Electronic Health Record Data

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have shown that Adult ADHD presents differently in younger and older adults. We sought to assess the difference in care between these two groups using previously identified quality measures (QMs).

METHODS

Using electronic health record data, we matched a younger group of ADHD patients to an older group. We then assessed the achievement of the QMs using probit models with and without interaction terms.

RESULTS

The majority of QMs shown an increase in achievement for both groups over time. However, significant differences in quality of care between younger and older adult ADHD patients persisted. By the end of the study period, with the exception of three QMs, younger patients achieved the QMs more.

CONCLUSION

While, in general, the quality of care for adult ADHD increased from 2010 to 2020, there were still differences in care between younger and older adult ADHD patients.

P2X4 signalling contributes to hyperactivity but not pain sensitization comorbidity in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Introduction: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that often persist until adulthood. Frequent comorbid disorders accompany ADHD and two thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD also suffer from behavioural disorders and from alteration of sensory processing. We recently characterized the comorbidity between ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitisation in a pharmacological mouse model of ADHD, and we demonstrated the implication of the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. However, few studies have explored the causal mechanisms underlying the interactions between ADHD and pain. The implication of inflammatory mechanisms has been suggested but the signalling pathways involved have not been explored. Methods: We investigated the roles of purinergic signalling, at the crossroad of pain and neuroinflammatory pathways, by using a transgenic mouse line that carries a total deletion of the P2X4 receptor. Results: We demonstrated that P2X4 deletion prevents hyperactivity in the mouse model of ADHD. In contrast, the absence of P2X4 lowered thermal pain thresholds in sham conditions and did not affect pain sensitization in ADHD-like conditions. We further analysed microglia reactivity and the expression of inflammatory markers in wild type and P2X4KO mice. Our results revealed that P2X4 deletion limits microglia reactivity but at the same time exerts proinflammatory effects in the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. Conclusion: This dual role of P2X4 could be responsible for the differential effects noted on ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitization and calls for further studies to investigate the therapeutic benefit of targeting the P2X4 receptor in ADHD patients.

Language abilities in children and adolescents with DLD and ADHD: A scoping review

PURPOSE

There is an emerging view that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by problems with language difficulties, an idea reinforced by the fact that ADHD is highly comorbid with developmental language disorder (DLD). This scoping review provides an overview of literature on language abilities in children with DLD and ADHD while highlighting similarities and differences.

METHOD

A comprehensive search was performed to examine the literature on language abilities in the two disorders, yielding a total of 18 articles that met the inclusion criteria for the present review. Qualitative summaries are provided based on the language domain assessed.

RESULTS

The current literature suggests children and adolescents with ADHD have better morphosyntax/grammar, general/core language abilities, receptive, and expressive abilities than those with DLD. Further, that performance is comparable on assessments of semantic and figurative language but varies by sample on assessments of phonological processing, syntax, narrative language, and vocabulary.

CONCLUSION

Evidence presented points to children and adolescents with DLD as having greater language difficulties compared to those with ADHD, but with some important caveats. Despite limitations related to the paucity of studies and inconsistencies in how the two types of disorders are identified, our review provides a necessary and vital step in better understanding the language profiles of these two highly prevalent childhood disorders. These findings are useful in optimizing language outcomes and treatment efficacy for children and adolescents with ADHD and DLD.

The diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in older adults

INTRODUCTION

There is a striking knowledge gap on ADHD in older adults, and the diagnosis as well as treatment for ADHD in this age group.

AREAS COVERED

The authors first review the literature on the prevalence, functional impairment, and health comorbidities of ADHD across the lifespan. Next, they address the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults according to the DSM/ICD, available screening/diagnostic tools, differential diagnosis, and the validity of diagnostic criteria for ADHD in older adults. Finally, the authors focus on empirical evidence on the prevalence rates, medication response, and safety of pharmacological treatment of ADHD in older adults, and national and international clinical guidelines on the treatment of ADHD in this age group.

EXPERT OPINION

It is expected that future editions of the DSM and ICD will provide specifiers to the standard ADHD criteria, to better inform the diagnosis of ADHD in older adults. It is also expected that the increasing number of epidemiological studies will provide rigorous estimates on the prevalence, incidence, and burden of ADHD in older adults. One may expect an increasing number of RCTs assessing the efficacy/effectiveness and tolerability/safety of pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological interventions which will inform future guidelines on ADHD in older adults.

"For Me, 'Normality' is Not Normal": Rethinking Medical and Cultural Ideals of Midlife ADHD Diagnosis

According to psychiatry, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition beginning in early life. Psychiatry advocates for early diagnosis to prevent comorbidities that may emerge in untreated cases. "Late"-diagnosis is associated with various hazards that might harm patients' lives and society. Drawing on fieldwork in Israel, we found that 'midlife-ADHDers,' as our informants refer to themselves, express diverse experiences including some advantages of being diagnosed as adults rather than as children. They share what it means to experience "otherness" without an ADHD diagnosis and articulate how being diagnosed "late" detached them from medical and social expectations and allowed some to nurture a unique ill-subjectivity, develop personal knowledge, and invent therapeutic interventions. The timeframe that psychiatry conceives as harmful has been, for some, a springboard to find their own way. This case allows us to rethink 'experiential time'-the meanings of timing and time when psychiatric discourse and subjective narratives intertwine.

Annual Research Review: Perspectives on progress in ADHD science - from characterization to cause

The science of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is motivated by a translational goal - the discovery and exploitation of knowledge about the nature of ADHD to the benefit of those individuals whose lives it affects. Over the past fifty years, scientific research has made enormous strides in characterizing the ADHD condition and in understanding its correlates and causes. However, the translation of these scientific insights into clinical benefits has been limited. In this review, we provide a selective and focused survey of the scientific field of ADHD, providing our personal perspectives on what constitutes the scientific consensus, important new leads to be highlighted, and the key outstanding questions to be addressed going forward. We cover two broad domains - clinical characterization and, risk factors, causal processes and neuro-biological pathways. Part one focuses on the developmental course of ADHD, co-occurring characteristics and conditions, and the functional impact of living with ADHD - including impairment, quality of life, and stigma. In part two, we explore genetic and environmental influences and putative mediating brain processes. In the final section, we reflect on the future of the ADHD construct in the light of cross-cutting scientific themes and recent conceptual reformulations that cast ADHD traits as part of a broader spectrum of neurodivergence.

Associations between Chronic Pain and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Youth: A Scoping Review

Background: Chronic pain and ADHD are common conditions among youth that negatively impact functioning. This review fills a critical gap by summarizing current research on chronic pain and ADHD comorbidity, and it proposes a conceptual model of shared associations and underlying mechanisms. Objective: The aims of the current study were to: (1) review the extant literature and present estimates of the prevalence of comorbid non-headache chronic pain and ADHD in youth and (2) describe potential shared mechanisms for ADHD and chronic non-headache pain in youth. We also outline future directions to inform future research and interventions directed to youth with comorbid pain and ADHD. Design: A scoping review of the literature was performed in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using a wide range of search terms related to pain, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Results: Eleven published studies were included in the review. These studies examined the prevalence of chronic pain among youth with ADHD, the prevalence of ADHD in chronic pain samples, and the association between chronic pain and ADHD among youth. Findings revealed results from studies indicating a higher prevalence of ADHD among youth with chronic pain and a higher prevalence of chronic pain in samples of youth with ADHD. Conclusions: Findings from this scoping review suggest an association between chronic pain and ADHD among youth. Little research was found to examine the etiology of this association. Future studies should examine underlying mechanisms of comorbid chronic pain and ADHD.

Prescription stimulant use during long-term opioid therapy and risk for opioid use disorder

Background

Concurrent therapeutic prescribing of prescription stimulants with opioid analgesics is increasing in the United States. Stimulant medication use is associated with increased risk for long-term opioid therapy (LTOT), and LTOT is associated with increased risk for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Aims

To determine if stimulant prescriptions among those with LTOT (≥90 days) are associated with greater risk for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study from 2010 to 2018 used a United States, nationally distributed Optum© analytics Integrated Claims-Clinical dataset. Patients ≥18 years of age, and free of prevalent OUD in the two years prior to index were eligible. All patients had a new ≥90-day opioid prescription. The index date was day 91. We compared risk for new OUD diagnoses in patients with and without a prescription stimulant overlapping LTOT. Entropy balancing and weighting controlled for confounding factors.

Results

Patients (n = 5,712), were 57.7 (SD±14.9) years of age on average, majority female (59.8%) and 73.3% White race. Among patients with LTOT, 2.8% had overlapping stimulant prescriptions. Before controlling for confounding, dual stimulant-opioid prescriptions, compared to opioid only, were associated with OUD risk (HR = 1.75; 95%CI:1.17-2.61). After controlling for confounding, this association was no longer present (HR = 0.89; 95%CI:0.47-1.71). Results did not differ in sensitivity analyses limiting the cohort to those <56 years of age.

Conclusions

Dual stimulant use among patients with LTOT does not increase risk for OUD. Stimulants prescribed for ADHD and other conditions may not worsen opioid outcomes for some patients with LTOT.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the age pattern of adult mortality

We draw upon the life-course perspective and examine whether Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) moderates the age pattern of adult mortality using data from the 2007 and 2012 National Health Interview Survey Sample Adult File linked to National Death Index data through 2015. Overall, 7.0% of respondents died by 2015. Discrete-time hazard analysis indicates that the log odds of mortality were significantly lower among 18 and 19 year old adults ever diagnosed with ADHD and significantly higher among 46 to 64 year old adults ever diagnosed with ADHD, with a crossover occurring at age 33. Results were similar among men and women. It is not known specifically which risks drive changes in the risk of mortality documented among persons with ADHD during the transition to adulthood, the increased risk of mortality in midlife, or whether some risks operate more or less at particular ages. Additional research can lead to targeted, age- and life-course stage-focused interventions for specific risks and contribute to the reduction of ADHD-related mortality.

Neuroinflammation as a possible link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pain

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pathological pain are two complex syndromes of multifactorial origin. Despite their prevalence and broad impacts, these conditions are seldom recognized and managed simultaneously. The co-existence of neuropsychiatric conditions (such as ADHD) and altered pain perception and chronic pain has been noted in children, and the comorbidity of ADHD and chronic pain is well documented in adults. Pathophysiological studies have suggested dysfunction of the dopaminergic system as a common neurochemical basis for comorbid ADHD and pain. Considerable evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of both. We suggest that central neuroinflammation underlies altered pain perception and pain sensitization in persons with ADHD. Based on our hypothesis, targeting neuroinflammation may serve as a potential new therapeutic intervention to treat ADHD and comorbid pain in children and adolescents and a preventive strategy for the development of chronic pain in adults with ADHD.

Adult ADHD, executive function, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and quality of life: A serial two-mediator model

BACKGROUND

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired executive function (EF), depressive/anxiety symptoms, and poor quality of life (QoL). In this study, we aimed to investigate correlations among these variables and to build a simple or serial mediation model for exploring the mechanisms between adult ADHD and QoL.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. The sample included 223 participants with ADHD and 54 healthy volunteers. Participants were required to complete the following scales: ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), Brief Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Correlations among EF, depressive/anxiety symptoms and QoL were analyzed using Pearson correlation. The simple and serial mediation models were analyzed using PROCESS (version 3.3).

RESULTS

The correlations between EF and QoL, depressive/anxiety symptoms and QoL, and depressive/anxiety symptoms and EF were statistically significant. In ADHD adults with comorbidities, the correlation coefficients were between -0.19 and -0.47, -0.20 and -0.62, 0.28 and 0.50, respectively. In simple mediation models, EF and depressive/anxiety symptoms were significant mediators respectively between ADHD and QoL, respectively. In a serial two-mediator model, ADHD could affect QoL indirectly via EF and then via depressive/anxiety symptoms significantly.

LIMITATIONS

The average age was young, the degree of education was high, and only self-reported scales were relied on.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a mutual effect between EF and emotional symptoms. This was the first study to build a serial two-mediator model between ADHD and QoL, suggesting the importance of EF and depressive/anxiety symptoms.

Pregnancy exposure to organophosphate esters and the risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Norwegian mother, father and child cohort study

BACKGROUND

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are a class of flame retardants in common use. OPEs can easily leach from materials, resulting in human exposure. Increasing concentrations have been reported in human populations over the past decade. Recent studies have linked prenatal OPE exposure to hyperactivity and attention problems in children. Such behaviors are often found among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, no study has investigated OPEs in relation to clinically assessed ADHD.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate prenatal exposure to OPEs as risk factors for clinically assessed ADHD using a case-cohort study nested within the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

METHODS

We included in the case group 295 ADHD cases obtained via linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry, and the sub-cohort group 555 children sampled at baseline, irrespective of their ADHD case status. Prenatal concentrations of OPE metabolites were measured in maternal urine collected at 17 weeks of gestation, and included diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-butoxyethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BBOEP), and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP). We estimated risk ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] using logistic regression, adjusting for season of urine collection, child sex, birth year, and maternal depression, education, and sum of urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP) concentration during pregnancy. To assess the overall impact of simultaneously decreasing exposure to all chemical constituents of an OPE-phthalate mixture, quantile based g-computation was implemented. The mixture constituents included OPE and phthalate metabolites commonly detected in our study. In all models, we considered effect measure modification by child sex and polymorphisms in genes encoding paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. Mediation analysis was conducted using thyroid function biomarkers estimated from maternal blood collected at 17 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

DPHP was detected in nearly all samples (97.2%), with a higher geometric mean among the case group (0.70 µg/L) as compared to the sub-cohort (0.52 µg/L). DNBP was commonly detected as well (93.8%), while BBOEP (52.9%) and BDCIPP (22.9%) were detected less frequently. A higher risk of ADHD was observed in children with greater than median exposure to DPHP during pregnancy (risk ratio: 1.38 [95% CI: 0.96, 1.99]), which was slightly higher among girls (2.04 [1.03, 4.02]) and children of mothers with PON1 Q192R genotype QR (1.69 [0.89, 3.19]) or PON1 Q192R genotype RR (4.59 [1.38, 15.29]). The relationship between DPHP and ADHD (total risk ratio: 1.34 [0.90, 2.02]) was partially mediated through total triiodothyronine to total thyroxine ratio (natural direct effect: 1.29 [0.87, 1.94]; natural indirect effect: 1.04 [1.00, 1.10]; 12.48% mediated). We also observed an elevated risk of ADHD in relation to BDCIPP detection during pregnancy (1.50 [0.98, 2.28]). We did not observe notable differences in ADHD by DNBP (0.88 [0.62, 1.26]) or BBOEP (1.03 [0.73, 1.46]) during pregnancy. Simultaneously decreasing all constituents of common-detect OPE-phthalate mixture, specifically DPHP, DNBP, and 6 phthalate metabolites, by a quartile resulted in an ADHD risk ratio of 0.68 [0.64, 0.72].

CONCLUSION

Prenatal exposure to DPHP and BDCIPP may increase the risk of ADHD. For DPHP, we observed potential modification by child sex and maternal PON1 Q192R genotype and partial mediation through maternal thyroid hormone imbalance at 17 weeks gestation.

Cohort Change in the Prevalence of ADHD Among U.S. Adults: Evidence of a Gender-Specific Historical Period Effect

Objective: To document inter- and intra-cohort changes in adult ADHD and examine whether changes vary by gender. Method: We analyze data from the 2007 and 2012 U.S. National Health Interview Survey. Results: The prevalence of ADHD among adults aged 18 to 64 years increased from 3.41% in 2007 to 4.25% in 2012. As expected, patterns of inter- and intra-cohort change varied by gender. At younger ages, inter-cohort gender differences are more distinct due to a spike in prevalence among boys/men born in or after 1980. Consistent with a gender-specific historical period effect, recent intra-cohort increases among women have narrowed the gender gap. Conclusion: The gender gap in the prevalence of ADHD among adults decreased by 31.1% from 2007 to 2012 due to increased prevalence among adult women of all ages. We discuss these results in relation to diagnostic practice, adult health and well-being, data limitations and needs, and directions for future research.

Self-Reported ADHD and Adult Health in the United States

Objective: Informed by a social determinants of health framework, we investigate the relationship between self-reported ADHD diagnosis status and adult health, and whether observed associations are attenuated by biomedical and socioeconomic factors. Method: Using 2007 National Health Interview Survey data (N = 19,104), we present multivariate logistic regression analyses of associations between self-reported ADHD diagnosis status and five adult health outcomes. Results: ADHD diagnosis was significantly associated with higher odds of injury, physical health conditions, functional limitations, fair/poor health, and psychological distress in fully specified models (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 1.62-2.36). Inclusion of controls for exogenous demographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidities and health behaviors, and adult social and economic statuses attenuated but did not eliminate observed associations between ADHD and poorer adult health. Conclusion: Research on adult health outcomes for those with ADHD should include consideration of the mechanisms by which a diagnosis of ADHD leads to cumulative social disadvantages that independently contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Insomnia Disorder in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Patients: Clinical, Comorbidity, and Treatment Correlates

Introduction: Several investigations have been performed on insomnia symptoms in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the relationship between insomnia disorder and adult ADHD has been neglected in research. The main objective of the current study is to analyze the differences between adult ADHD patients with and without insomnia disorder, in terms of ADHD clinical severity, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, psychopharmacological treatment, and quality of life. Material and Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two adult patients with ADHD (mean age 37.60 ± 13.22 years; ADHD presentations-combined: 56.7%, inattentive: 39.7%, hyperactive/impulsive: 3.6%) were evaluated with an exhaustive clinical and psychological evaluation protocol including semistructured interviews (for comorbidities and ADHD assessment) and symptom rating scales for ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD and insomnia disorder was made according to DSM-5 criteria. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered. Results: Insomnia disorder was found in 44.4% of adult ADHD patients and was more common in combined presentation (64.3%) and in patients with more ADHD severity. Comorbidities (both medical and psychiatric), especially mood disorders (42%), anxiety disorder (26.8%), personality disorder (39.3%), and any substance use disorder (11.6%), were associated with a higher insomnia disorder prevalence. ADHD stimulant treatment was related to lower insomnia disorder compared to patients without medication, as well as ADHD stable treatment. Additionally, worse health-related quality of life was associated with insomnia disorder. Conclusion: Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent in adult ADHD and is related to higher ADHD severity and more psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Some stimulants and stable pharmacological ADHD treatment are associated with better outcomes of insomnia disorder.

Comparison of Quality of Life, Productivity, Functioning and Self-Esteem in Adults Diagnosed With ADHD and With Symptomatic ADHD

Objective: Investigate the association between diagnosis and outcomes in adults with symptoms of ADHD. Method: The Validate Attitudes and Lifestyle Issues in Depression, ADHD and Troubles with Eating (VALIDATE) study collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics data, and responses from validated questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, functioning, and self-esteem. ADHD-diagnosed respondents (n = 444) were matched with respondents with symptomatic ADHD (n = 1,055) within the same sex-by-age group using propensity score matching. Effects of ADHD diagnosis on each outcome were adjusted for covariates that remained imbalanced after matching, using generalized mixed models. Results: After matching, symptomatic respondents (n = 867) had worse outcomes than ADHD-diagnosed respondents (n = 436), as measured by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health questionnaire and Sheehan Disability Scale (p < .001). ADHD-diagnosed respondents had better mean EuroQol five-dimensional five-level (EQ-5D-5L) scores and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores than symptomatic respondents (p < .001). Conclusion: ADHD-diagnosed individuals are more likely to experience better functional performance, work-related productivity, HRQoL, and self-esteem than individuals with symptomatic ADHD.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Self-Report Form in Iranian Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Self-Report Form (WFIRS-S) was developed as a measure of functional impairment in adolescents and adults with ADHD. This study reports the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the WFIRS-S in a sample of normal Iranian adolescents.

METHOD

Internal consistency and factor structure of the WFIRS-S were tested on a sample of 386 students (Grades 7-12). The test-retest reliability and the convergent validity of the WFIRS-S were evaluated by using two different subsamples including 50 and 100 students, respectively.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's alpha values were between .72 and .94 for the WFIRS-S subdomains and total scale. The test-retest reliability was .80 for the total scale. The WFIRS-S subdomains had moderate to high significant correlations with the Pediatric Quality of Life total scale.

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of the WFIRS-S has acceptable psychometric properties and could be used as a functional impairment assessment for adolescents.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Work Productivity of Adults With ADHD: A U.K. Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult ADHD.

METHOD

U.K. residents aged 18 to 55 years with ADHD and no major mental health comorbidities completed an online survey of disorder history, the EuroQoL 5-Dimensions 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI:GH). ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) score was assessed by telephone.

RESULTS

In total, 233 participants completed the study (mean age 32.6 years; 65.2% women). Mean ( SD) ADHD-RS-IV total score, EQ-5D utility, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 43.5 (7.88), 0.74 (.21), and 69.8 (17.76), respectively. Mean ( SD) WPAI:GH scores indicated that health problems caused 45.7% (29.9) overall work impairment and 45.8% (28.9) impairment in regular daily activities. Greater work and activity impairment were both significantly independently associated with lower utility after adjusting for age, gender, and somatic comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Adult ADHD impairs HRQoL, work productivity, and regular daily activities.

Quality of life in older adults with ADHD: links to ADHD symptom levels and executive functioning deficits

Purpose and aim: The overall aim of the present study was to examine quality of life in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients age ≥60 years. First, we compared older adults with ADHD to both healthy controls of the same age and younger adults with ADHD. Second, we examined executive functioning as a possible underlying factor for quality of life among older adults with ADHD. Methods: The study included 158 participants in three groups: (1) older adults (60-75 years of age) with ADHD (n = 42), (2) healthy controls of the same age (n = 58), and (3) younger adults (age 18-45 years of age) with ADHD (n = 56). The patients with ADHD were clinically-referred. Quality of life was examined through self-ratings and executive functioning was examined using both self-ratings and tests. Results: Older adults with ADHD differed significantly from controls the same age on all aspects of quality of life, with large effect sizes. However, they showed similar levels of quality of life compared to younger adults with ADHD. The exception was psychological health, for which older adults displayed better quality of life compared to younger adults with ADHD. Executive deficits measured through self-ratings, especially working memory, were related to quality of life, sometimes also beyond the influence of ADHD symptom levels. Conclusions: Older adults with ADHD show serious impairments in quality of life, that are comparable to the levels found for younger adults. Impairments may increase further as these individuals grow older and clinics need to meet the needs of this increasingly larger group of patients.

Quality of life in substance use disorder patients with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 12 months after treatment: a naturalistic follow-up study

There is sparse research on quality of life (QoL) as an outcome measure in patients with substance use disorders (SUD), with or without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to investigate whether SUD patients with and without ADHD (SUD + ADHD vs. SUD - ADHD) differed in QoL at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up after SUD treatment. The groups were additionally compared with data from a national population sample (NPS). From a sample of 16 SUD + ADHD and 87 SUD - ADHD patients originally recruited between 2010 and 2012, eight SUD + ADHD (50.0%) and 28 SUD - ADHD (32.2%) patients were reached at follow-up. QoL was measured with the short version of the World Health Organization QoL instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). Cross-sectional data on QoL from NPS was utilized. Compared to NPS, SUD patients reported significantly lower QoL at baseline and follow-up. Furthermore, QoL was similar at baseline in SUD + ADHD and SUD - ADHD patients. At a 12-month follow-up after SUD treatment, SUD + ADHD patients 'QoL had improved, however, not significantly differing from SUD - ADHD patients or the NPS. SUD - ADHD patients' QoL remained significantly lower. At follow-up, SUD + ADHD patients' QoL improved nominally compared to SUD - ADHD patients, but not the NPS. The clinical and functional relevance of these findings should be investigated further.

Adult ADHD Symptoms and Satisfaction With Life: Does Age and Sex Matter?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate adult ADHD symptoms and satisfaction with life, with a focus on age and sex differences.

METHOD

This study is based on parents in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). The Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS-6) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) scores were analyzed from 33,210 men and 41,983 women from young to middle adulthood.

RESULTS

Mean ASRS total score was significantly higher in men, where 5.1% scored above cutoff, compared with 2.9% in women. Factor loadings supported the two ASRS subscales: Inattention (Inatt) and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity (HyImp) in both sexes. A significant decline with age was found on HyImp, whereas Inatt scores were reasonably stable in men and u-curved in women. High ASRS scores were associated with lower SWLS, but poor satisfaction with life was found only in high-scoring women.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest caution to age and sex when using the ASRS-6.

Trait Anxiety as a Mediator of the Association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Severity and Functional Impairment

Objective

Anxiety has been shown to influence functional impairment in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to compare functional impairment in subjects with and without adult ADHD and to investigate the associations among trait anxiety, functional impairment, and ADHD symptom severity. Moreover, the effects of ADHD symptom subtypes on trait anxiety and functional impairment were also examined.

Methods

The sample included 209 adults between the ages of 20 and 31 years. Fifty-one adults received a diagnosis of ADHD, and an additional age, sex-matched group of 51 adults comprised the adult control. Participants were assessed with Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Spielberg Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). The relationships among ADHD severity, anxiety, and functional impairment were investigated using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Subtypes of ADHD symptoms that predicted anxiety and functional impairment were investigated using regression analyses.

Results

Adult ADHD patients significantly differed from normal control subjects according to BDI, STAI-T, and SDS assessment. Significant positive correlations were noted between ADHD severity, anxiety, and functional impairment. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed anxiety as a mediator between functional impairment and ADHD CAARS symptom subscales.

Conclusion

Patients with adult ADHD showed higher levels of anxiety, depression, and functional impairment. Additionally, ADHD symptoms and anxiety impacted subject functional impairment. Our results suggest that anxiety may be a strong mediator between ADHD severity and functional impairment.

Standardised assessment of functioning in ADHD: consensus on the ICF Core Sets for ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with significant impairments in social, educational, and occupational functioning, as well as specific strengths. Currently, there is no internationally accepted standard to assess the functioning of individuals with ADHD. WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-child and youth version (ICF) can serve as a conceptual basis for such a standard. The objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive, a common brief, and three age-appropriate brief ICF Core Sets for ADHD. Using a standardised methodology, four international preparatory studies generated 132 second-level ICF candidate categories that served as the basis for developing ADHD Core Sets. Using these categories and following an iterative consensus process, 20 ADHD experts from nine professional disciplines and representing all six WHO regions selected the most relevant categories to constitute the ADHD Core Sets. The consensus process resulted in 72 second-level ICF categories forming the comprehensive ICF Core Set-these represented 8 body functions, 35 activities and participation, and 29 environmental categories. A Common Brief Core Set that included 38 categories was also defined. Age-specific brief Core Sets included a 47 category preschool version for 0-5 years old, a 55 category school-age version for 6-16 years old, and a 52 category version for older adolescents and adults 17 years old and above. The ICF Core Sets for ADHD mark a milestone toward an internationally standardised functional assessment of ADHD across the lifespan, and across educational, administrative, clinical, and research settings.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Long-term Concurrent Use of Stimulants and Opioids Among Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

IMPORTANCE

There exist limited data on the long-term concurrent use of stimulants and opioids among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a population at risk for prescription drug abuse.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and secular trends of and the factors associated with long-term concurrent use of stimulants and opioids among adults with ADHD.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study assessed Medicaid Analytic eXtract data from 29 states between 1999 and 2010. Medicaid fee-for-service enrollees aged 20 to 64 years with ADHD who were continuously enrolled for more than 12 months after receiving an ADHD diagnosis were included. One 12-month continuous enrollment period was randomly selected as an observation unit for each enrollee. Multivariable regression models were used to determine secular trends in the prevalence of and the potential risk factors associated with long-term concurrent stimulant-opioid use. Analyses were conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2017.

EXPOSURES

Risk factors measured during the first half of the 12-month observation unit.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Prevalence of long-term use of stimulants and opioids overlapping for at least 30 consecutive days was measured during the second half of the randomly selected 12-month observation unit.

RESULTS

Of the 66 406 Medicaid-enrolled adults with ADHD who were identified as eligible, 35 670 (53.7%) were 20 to 30 years old, 37 155 (56.0%) were women, and 52 551 (79.1%) were non-Hispanic white individuals. Of these 66 406 adults with ADHD, 21 723 (32.7%) used stimulants, and 3590 (5.4%) were long-term users of stimulants and opioids. Long-term opioid use was more common among adults with ADHD who used stimulants (3590 of 21 723 [16.5%]) than among those with ADHD who did not use stimulants (5826 of 44 683 [13.0%]). Long-term concurrent stimulant-opioid use increased between 1999 and 2010 (adjusted prevalence relative ratio [PRR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.10-1.14). Compared with patients aged 20 to 30 years, the prevalence of long-term concurrent stimulant-opioid use was higher among patients in their 30s (PRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.07-1.08) and was further increased among patients in their 40s (PRR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12-1.15) and 50s (PRR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.16-1.19). Other strongly associated risk factors included being non-Hispanic white (black PRR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.92-0.93; other PRR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98; vs white), living in the southern United States (Midwest PRR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98; Northeast PRR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.94; West PRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94-0.96; vs South), and receiving a diagnosis of substance abuse disorder (PRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.05), depression (PRR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), anxiety disorder (PRR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.07), chronic pain (PRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PRR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.07), or cardiovascular disease (PRR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Long-term concurrent use of stimulants and opioids among adults with ADHD is common. This study suggests that clinical and research priorities should be made toward understanding the benefits and risks of long-term coadministration of stimulants and opioids in the management of ADHD and co-occurring pain conditions.

Association of Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol During Pregnancy With Multigenerational Neurodevelopmental Deficits

Importance

Animal evidence suggests that endocrine disruptors affect germline cells and neurodevelopment. However, to date, the third-generation neurodevelopmental outcomes in humans have not been examined.

Objective

To explore the potential consequences of exposure to diethylstilbestrol or DES across generations-specifically, third-generation neurodevelopment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study uses self-reported health information, such as exposure to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, from 47 540 participants enrolled in the ongoing Nurses' Health Study II. The 3 generations analyzed in this study were the participants (F1 generation), their mothers (F0 generation), and their live-born children (F2 generation).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Participant- and mother-reported exposure to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy and physician-diagnosed child ADHD.

Results

The total number of women included in this study was 47 540. Of the 47 540 F0 mothers, 861 (1.8%) used diethylstilbestrol and 46 679 (98.2%) did not while pregnant with the F1 participants. Use of diethylstylbestrol by F0 mothers was associated with an increased risk of ADHD among the F2 generation: 7.7% vs 5.2%, adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.36 (95% CI, 1.10-1.67) and an OR of 1.63 (95% CI, 1.18-2.25) if diethylstilbestrol was taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. No effect modification was observed by the F2 children's sex.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study provides evidence that diethylstilbestrol exposure is associated with multigenerational neurodevelopmental deficits. The doses and potency level of environmental endocrine disruptors to which humans are exposed are lower than those of diethylstilbestrol, but the prevalence of such exposure and the possibility of cumulative action are potentially high and thus warrant consideration.

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for older adults with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial

Older adults with ADHD exhibit significant functional impairment, yet there is little research to guide clinicians in evidence-based care of these adults. This study examined response to treatment in older adults who participated in a previous study of the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) in adult ADHD. It was hypothesized that older adults would respond less well to CBT than younger adults, given the cognitive demands of the treatment. As described in the original publication, 88 adults who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD were randomized to receive either a manualized 12-week CBT group intervention targeting executive dysfunction or a parallel Support group. In the current study, outcomes for 26 adults, aged 50 or older, were compared with those of 55 younger adults with respect to inattentive symptoms assessed on a structured interview by a blind clinician, as well as on ratings by self and/or collateral on measures of attention, executive dysfunction, and comorbidity. Contrary to the hypothesis, older and younger adults were equally responsive to CBT on measures of attention. The older adults also responded as well to Support as to CBT on several outcome measures. The results provide preliminary evidence that CBT is an effective intervention for older adults with ADHD. The unexpected response to support highlights a possible age-specificity of effective therapeutic intervention that requires further investigation.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in a Representative Adolescent and Adult Sample

Although it is well documented that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with reduced life satisfaction, the mechanisms that might explain this co-occurrence are unclear. We examined the correlation of ADHD symptoms with life satisfaction and whether this association is mediated by (lacking) social support and depressive symptoms. Self-reported ADHD symptoms, life satisfaction, social support, and depressive symptoms were assessed in a representative, predominantly adult sample from the general population (14-91 years, N = 2517). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms correlated negatively with life satisfaction (r = -0.41, p < 0.01), even after demographic factors (gender, age, income) and common risk factors (not being in a relationship, being unemployed) were controlled for (r = -0.39, p < 0.01). Social support mediated up to 23% and depressive symptoms up to 44% in the association between ADHD symptoms and life satisfaction. Counteracting problems with social relationships and treating depressive symptoms may help to increase life satisfaction in adults with ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and loneliness among adults in the general population

BACKGROUND

Research on the association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and loneliness is scarce even though factors which have been previously linked to loneliness, such as divorce and poorer mental health may be more prevalent among adults with ADHD. This study investigated the relation between ADHD symptoms/symptom severity and loneliness in the general adult population.

METHODS

Data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 (N=7403, aged ≥16years) were analyzed. ADHD symptoms and common mental disorders (CMDs) were assessed with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener and the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised, respectively. Loneliness was measured with a question from the Social Functioning Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

In the fully adjusted model, an ASRS score ≥14 was strongly associated with loneliness (OR=2.48 95%CI=1.83-3.36). ADHD symptom severity was related to loneliness in a dose-response fashion. Over one-third of the association between ADHD symptoms and loneliness was explained by CMDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with more ADHD symptoms are at an increased risk of feeling lonely. Future research should determine how ADHD symptoms are linked to loneliness and if loneliness is affecting well-being.

ADHD symptoms and pain among adults in England

Prior research has produced conflicting findings on the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pain, while studies among community-dwelling adults are lacking. This study examined the association between ADHD symptoms and pain in the general adult population, and the extent to which this association is influenced by comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs). Data came from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey which included a representative sample of the English adult household population aged ≥16 years (N=7403). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener was used to obtain information on ADHD symptoms, while pain was assessed by the degree to which it interfered with work activity in the previous month. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) was used to evaluate six categories of CMDs. In a binary logistic regression analysis adjusted for socio-demographic factors and physical health conditions, an ADHD symptom score ≥14 was strongly associated with extreme pain (odds ratio [OR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.09-4.74). The OR was attenuated greatly after further adjustment for CMDs (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05-2.58) but remained statistically significant. Adults with ADHD symptoms have higher odds for experiencing pain. CMDs are influential in this association but do not fully explain it.

Psychiatric Comorbidity at the Time of Diagnosis in Adults With ADHD: The CAT Study

OBJECTIVE

The CAT (Comorbilidad en Adultos con TDAH) study aimed to quantify and characterize the psychiatric comorbidity at the time of diagnosis of ADHD in adult outpatients.

METHOD

Cross-sectional, multicenter, observational register of adults with ADHD diagnosed for the first time.

RESULTS

In this large sample of adult ADHD (n = 367), psychiatric comorbidities were present in 66.2% of the sample, and were more prevalent in males and in the hyperactive-impulsive and combined subtypes. The most common comorbidities were substance use disorders (39.2%), anxiety disorders (23%), and mood disorders (18.1%). In all, 88.8% patients were prescribed pharmacological treatment for ADHD (in 93.4% of cases, modified release methylphenidate capsules 50:50).

CONCLUSION

A high proportion of psychiatric comorbidity was observed when adult outpatients received a first-time diagnosis of ADHD. The systematic registering of patients and comorbidities in clinical practice may help to better understand and manage the prognostic determinants in adult ADHD.

Optimal management of ADHD in older adults

BACKGROUND

The manifestation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among older adults has become an interesting topic of interest due to an increasing number of adults aged 50 years and older (≥50 years) seeking assessment for ADHD. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on ADHD in older adults, and until recently only a few case reports existed.

METHOD

A systematic search was conducted in the databases Medline/PubMed and PsycINFO in order to identify studies regarding ADHD in adults ≥50 years.

RESULTS

ADHD persists into older ages in many patients, but the prevalence of patients fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis at age ≥50 years is still unknown. It is reason to believe that the prevalence is falling gradually with age, and that the ADHD symptom level is significantly lower in the age group 70-80 years than the group 50-60 years. There is a lack of controlled studies of ADHD medication in adults ≥50 years, but this review suggests that many patients aged ≥50 years experience beneficial effects of pharmacological treatment. The problem with side effects and somatic complications may rise to a level that makes pharmacotherapy for ADHD difficult after the age of 65 years. Physical assessment prior to initiation of ADHD medication in adults ≥50 years should include a thorough clinical examination, and medication should be titrated with low doses initially and with a slow increase. In motivated patients, different psychological therapies alone or in addition to pharmacotherapy should be considered.

CONCLUSION

It is essential when treating older adult patients with ADHD to provide good support based on knowledge and understanding of how ADHD symptoms have affected health, quality of life, and function through the life span. Individualized therapy for each elderly patient should be recommended to balance risk-benefit ratio when pharmacotherapy is considered to be a possible treatment.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and suicide ideation and attempts: Findings from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007

BACKGROUND

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have an increased risk of engaging in suicidal behavior. This study examined this association in the general adult population where there has been little research.

METHODS

Data came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. This was a representative sample of the English adult household population aged ≥16 years (N=7403). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was used to obtain information on ADHD symptoms. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) was used to assess six forms of common mental disorder (CMD). Information was also obtained on the lifetime and past 12-month occurrence of suicide ideation and attempts. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine these associations.

RESULTS

After adjusting for comorbid disorders, adults with more ADHD symptoms had significantly higher odds for suicidal behavior. When a single cut-off point was used to classify ADHD (ASRS score ≥14), odds ratios ranged from 1.62 (lifetime suicide attempt) to 2.43 (past 12-month suicide ideation). When ADHD symptoms were categorized by strata (I: a score of 0-9; II: 10-13; III: 14-17; IV: 18-24), compared to adults in stratum I, those in stratum IV had odds ratios ranging from 2.16 (lifetime suicide ideation) to 3.68 (past 12-month suicide attempt).

LIMITATIONS

ADHD and suicide data came from self-reports which may have been affected by socially desirable responding.

CONCLUSIONS

ADHD symptoms were linked to suicidal behavior after controlling for comorbid conditions. Health care professionals should be alerted to the increased suicide risk among adults with ADHD symptoms.

Validation of DSM-5 age-of-onset criterion of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults: Comparison of life quality, functional impairment, and family function

The newly published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) elevates the threshold of the ADHD age-of-onset criterion from 7 to 12 years. This study evaluated the quality of life and functional impairment of adults with ADHD who had symptoms onset by or after 7 years and examined the mediation effect of family function and anxiety/depression symptoms between ADHD diagnosis and quality of life and functional impairment. We assessed 189 adults with ADHD and 153 non-ADHD controls by psychiatric interview and self-administered reports on the Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale, Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale, Family APGAR, and Adult Self Report Inventory-4. The ADHD group was divided into early-onset ADHD (onset <7 years, n=147) and late-onset ADHD (onset between 7 and 12 years, n=42). The mediation analysis was conducted to verify the mediating factors from ADHD to functional impairment and quality of life. The late-onset ADHD had more severe functional impairment at work and poorer family support than early-onset ADHD while they had comparable impairment at other domains. Less perceived family support and current anxiety/depressive symptoms partially mediated the link between ADHD diagnosis and quality of life/functional impairment both in early- and late-onset ADHD. Our data support decreased quality of life and increased functional impairment in adult ADHD, regardless of age of onset, and these adverse outcomes may be mediated by family support and anxiety/depression at adulthood. Our findings also imply that the new DSM-5 ADHD criteria do not over-include individuals without impairment.