Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents who have a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

A Virtual Reality Platform for Evaluating Deficits in Executive Functions in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children-Relation to Daily Function and to Quality of Life

Background: Childhood hearing loss is a common chronic condition that may have a broad impact on children's communication and motor and cognitive development, resulting in functional challenges and decreased quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This pilot study aimed to compare executive functions (EFs) as expressed in daily life and QoL between deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) children and children with typical hearing. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between EFs and QoL in D/HH children. Methods: The participants were 76 children aged 7-11 yr: 38 D/HH and 38 with typical hearing. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), while the child performed a shopping task in the virtual action planning supermarket (VAP-S) to reflect the use of EFs in daily activity. Results: D/HH children showed significantly poorer EFs (as measured by BRIEF and VAP-S) and reduced QoL. Difficulties in EFs were correlated with lower QoL. BRIEF scores were significant predictors of QoL domains. Conclusions: Difficulties in EFs may characterize children with D/HH and reduce their QoL. Therefore, EFs should be screened and treated. VAP-S and BRIEF are feasible tools for evaluating EFs that reflect children's challenges due to EF difficulties in real-life contexts.

Healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a claims-based case-cohort study

BACKGROUND

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to pose considerable clinical and economic burden; however, research quantifying the excess burden attributable to common psychiatric comorbidities of ADHD among pediatric patients is scarce. This study assessed the impact of anxiety and depression on healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and healthcare costs in pediatric patients with ADHD in the United States.

METHODS

Patients with ADHD aged 6-17 years were identified in the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database (10/01/2015-09/30/2021). The index date was the date of initiation of a randomly selected ADHD treatment. Patients with ≥ 1 diagnosis for anxiety and/or depression during both the baseline (6 months pre-index) and study period (12 months post-index) were classified in the ADHD+anxiety/depression cohort; those without diagnoses for anxiety nor depression during both periods were classified in the ADHD-only cohort. Entropy balancing was used to create reweighted cohorts. All-cause HRU and healthcare costs during the study period were compared using regression analyses. Cost analyses were also performed in subgroups by comorbid conditions.

RESULTS

The reweighted ADHD-only cohort (N = 204,723) and ADHD+anxiety/depression cohort (N = 66,231) had similar characteristics (mean age: 11.9 years; 72.8% male; 56.2% had combined inattentive and hyperactive ADHD type). The ADHD+anxiety/depression cohort had higher HRU than the ADHD-only cohort (incidence rate ratios for inpatient admissions: 10.3; emergency room visits: 1.6; outpatient visits: 2.3; specialist visits: 5.3; and psychotherapy visits: 6.1; all p < 0.001). The higher HRU translated to greater all-cause healthcare costs; the mean per-patient-per-year (PPPY) costs in the ADHD-only cohort vs. ADHD+anxiety/depression cohort was $3,988 vs. $8,682 (p < 0.001). All-cause healthcare costs were highest when both comorbidities were present; among patients with ADHD who had only anxiety, only depression, and both anxiety and depression, the mean all-cause healthcare costs were $7,309, $9,901, and $13,785 PPPY, respectively (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbid anxiety and depression was associated with significantly increased risk of HRU and higher healthcare costs among pediatric patients with ADHD; the presence of both comorbid conditions resulted in 3.5 times higher costs relative to ADHD alone. These findings underscore the need to co-manage ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities to help mitigate the substantial burden borne by patients and the healthcare system.

Association of Childhood Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Adolescent Traditional and Cyberbullying Victimization in the Digital Generation: A Population-Based Cohort Study

PURPOSE

This population-based cohort study aimed to examine the association with childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bullying experiences during adolescence among Digital Generation individuals, exploring both traditional and cyberbullying.

METHODS

This study included data from 15,240 participants, collected from the Taiwan Adolescent to Adult Longitudinal Study project. Participants, initially in seventh and 10th grade in 2015, were selected through a multistage stratified sampling approach. Self-report questionnaires assessed traditional and cyberbullying victimization experiences during adolescence, with 5-year longitudinal follow-up. Childhood ADHD diagnoses were identified by linking data to Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2015. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between childhood ADHD and bullying victimization while controlling for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Individuals diagnosed with childhood ADHD exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing bullying during adolescence (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-1.80). This association extended to various forms of bullying, including physical (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20-1.68), verbal (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20-1.67), relational (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.22-1.71), and cyber (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.14-1.61). Additional factors positively associated with bullying victimization included male, binge drinking, and depression, while a positive campus atmosphere was protective against bullying. However, there is no evidence for interactions between these factors and ADHD in their associations with bullying.

DISCUSSION

Childhood ADHD increases the risk of both traditional and cyberbullying during adolescence. Recognizing this risk is essential for targeted interventions and further research on underlying mechanisms.

The Development and Content Validation of a Clinical Screening Scale to Identify Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Cases Based on the Gender Perspective: An e-Delphi Study

BACKGROUND

Although many studies analyse gender differences in the clinical expression of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and prevalence studies show that girls with ADHD are underdiagnosed, there are no instruments that are sensitive to the detection of girls with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to develop a self-report early detection instrument for boys and girls with ADHD aged 7 to 16, which includes the gender perspective and is sensitive to the detection of girls with ADHD.

METHODS

The scale was developed and the items that comprised it were created from the thematic analysis of ADHD and its evaluation in children based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5-TR. A modified e-Delphi method involving a three-round web survey was used to establish a consensus on the content of the scale. Ten experts were recruited to form a professional panel. The panel members were asked to assess the differential symptomatology of ADHD in boys and girls, the dimensions to be evaluated, and the importance of scale items to evaluate the content.

RESULTS

A consensus was reached regarding 13 total items distributed in three dimensions: inattention; hyperactivity/impulsivity; and, a third dimension, internalisation, which includes symptoms most present in the expression of ADHD in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, the development of this scale using the Delphi method is the first specific scale used for identifying ADHD that also addresses the gender perspective and the differential symptomatology between boys and girls. However, we must proceed to the analysis of psychometric properties, as the scale requires an exhaustive study of its reliability and validity. We can anticipate that this scale will provide relevant and reliable information that can be used for the identification of ADHD in both boys and girls.

Analyzing the Quality of Life in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome in Relation to Sleep and Mental Health

The purpose of this paper was to examine the physical, emotional, social and school functioning domains of quality of life of individuals with Fragile X Syndrome, in relation to mental health and sleep patterns to gain a better understanding of how these aspects are affected by the disorder. This study included 119 individuals with Fragile X Syndrome who were given different cognitive examinations by a neuropsychologist or by parent-proxy questionnaires. This study focused on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQoL), the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS), the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), but did include other cognitive tests (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Nonverbal IQ, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule). We identified significant associations between decreases in emotional, social and school domains of PedsQoL and the ADAMS subtests of Generalized Anxiety, Manic/Hyperactivity and Obsessive/Compulsivity, with the subtest of Depressed Mood having associations with lower physical and emotional domains. We also identified a significant impact between CSHQ subtests of Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Daytime Sleepiness, and Parasomnia with the emotional and school domains of PedsQoL. There were associations connecting school functioning with Bedtime Resistance, and additional associations connecting emotional functioning with Sleep Duration and Sleep Onset Delay. Physical functioning was also associated with Sleep Anxiety. Our study shows how mental health and sleep defects impact improper sleep patterns and mental health which leads to decreases in the quality of life for individuals with FXS, and how it is important to screen for these symptoms in order to alleviate issues.

Comparison of self-esteem and quality of life in 8-12-year-old children with ADHD with and without learning disorders

BACKGROUND

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders in school-aged children. Learning disorder (LD) is also one of the most important psychiatric disorders in children, which can often be associated with ADHD. In this study, we sought to compare self-esteem and quality of life in 8 to 12-year-old children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without co-occurring learning disorders in order to emphasize the importance of attention and diagnosis in children with ADHD.

METHOD

Among the 8- to 12-year-old outpatients referred to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic of Omid Babol Clinic, 120 children aged 8 to 12 years with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder whose disease was diagnosed by a child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialist. Among the tools used to collect information was the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire by Wilcott et al. (CLDQ), five-scale self-esteem test of Pepe et al. (1989) for children and quality-of-life questionnaire for 8-12-year-old children (PedsQL).

RESULTS

This study investigated self-esteem and quality of life in children with ADHD (n = 120, 51.7% boys). Children with ADHD and learning disabilities reported significantly lower self-esteem and quality of life compared to those with ADHD alone.

CONCLUSION

Considering the relatively high probability of co-occurrence of ADHD and learning disorders, if one of them is diagnosed in a child, it is possible to look for other disorders in the child in order to avoid the more severe negative effects that this co-occurrence can have on the child by diagnosing it as soon as possible.

Examining the associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep problems, and other mental health conditions in adolescents

Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience greater sleep difficulties compared to those without. However, findings are mixed, and other mental health conditions are often overlooked. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep problems, ADHD, and other mental health conditions in a sample of adolescents. Data from 373 adolescents aged 10-19 years was used as part of the wider 'Healthy Brain Network' study, which targets children and adolescents experiencing mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Mental health conditions were assessed via a comprehensive assessment. Sleep was measured by self- and parent-report, as well as via up to a month of actigraphy data. Actigraphy data were analysed using mixed-methods modelling, while subjective sleep data were analysed using multiple regression. Subjectively-reported sleep was generally worse in adolescents who had ADHD and other mental health conditions compared to those with ADHD but no other conditions. There were no associations between ADHD status and objective sleep measures or self-reported measures, but a significant association was found between ADHD status and parent-reported sleep difficulties, even when accounting for other conditions. Parent-reported sleep problems were associated not only with ADHD, but also with anxiety, depression, and externalising disorders. The strength of association between ADHD and sleep problems is potentially not as strong as previously thought when considering the role of other mental health conditions. Clinicians should consider the role of other mental health conditions when sleep problems are present, and vice versa. The study also highlights the importance of comprehensive, multi-informant assessment of mental health conditions, including sleep.

Self-esteem in children and adolescents with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review

Meta-analytic methods were used to examine global and domain-specific (i.e., academic, social, behavioral) self-esteem in children and adolescents with and without ADHD. Potential moderators of effect size heterogeneity were also examined via meta-regressions within a three-level approach. Findings from 49 aggregated global self-esteem effect sizes (ADHDN = 2500, TDN = 9448), 12 academic self-esteem effect sizes (ADHDN = 386, TDN = 315), 11 social self-esteem effect sizes (ADHDN = 258, TDN = 254), and 8 behavioral self-esteem effect sizes (ADHDN = 231, TDN = 211) suggest that children and adolescents with ADHD experience moderate global (ES = 0.46, p < .001), academic (ES = 0.60, p = .009), and social (ES = 0.67, p = .001) self-esteem impairments compared to children and adolescents without the disorder. The aggregated behavioral self-esteem effect size (ES = 0.20, p = .54), however, was not significant, and the global self-esteem effect size was markedly smaller compared to effect sizes for the academic and social domains. Further, examination of potential moderators of effect size heterogeneity indicated null effects for medication status, diagnostic complexity, informant, age, sex, comorbid psychopathology, and self-esteem dimension. Collectively, findings suggest that children and adolescents with ADHD do not hold a ubiquitous negative self-perception of difficulties across academic, social, and behavioral domains of functioning, and unexamined domains that are distal to ADHD may serve to bolster global self-esteem.

A Pilot Study on the Effect of Peer Support on Quality of Life of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria (GD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) co-occur relatively often, but there is no evidence-based treatment for this specific group. Therefore, we examined the effects of a group intervention for adolescents with ASD and GD in a pilot study with a pre-post-test design. The adolescents completed questionnaires on quality of life, self-esteem, gender dysphoric feelings, and social responsiveness. Results show that participating in this peer support group seems to increase aspects of quality of life, i.e., increased parent-reported psychological well-being and decreased psychological complaints. Even though more research is needed, these results indicate that peer support is an invaluable part of treatment for adolescents with ASD and GD.

Exploring Diagnostic Performance of a Screening Instrument for ADHD and DSM-5 Number of Symptoms Criterion in Primary School Students From Mozambique

OBJECTIVE

To explore the ADHD diagnostic performance of a screening instrument, and which DSM-5 ADHD number of symptoms (criterion A) was best associated with impairment in a sample of students from 106 primary schools in Nampula, Mozambique.

METHODS

A random sample of 748 students were assessed using SNAP-IV and 152 youths (76 positive and 76 negative screeners) were invited for psychiatric diagnostic confirmation.

RESULTS

The performance of the screening instrument for predicting ADHD diagnosis was poor (all AUCs < 0.53). No other cut-off worked best in predicting impairment than the six symptoms cutoff suggested by DSM-5 for both inattention (AUC = 0.78; 95% CI [0.69, 0.86]) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (AUC = 0.75; 95% CI [0.67, 0.84]).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the adequacy of the DSM-5 ADHD criterion A in an African culture but indicate low diagnostic performance of a screening instruments only based in parent or teacher reports on symptoms to predict ADHD diagnosis.

Screening for ADHD in Adult Patients With Epilepsy: Prevalence of Symptoms and Challenges to Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Given the complex nature of seizure disorders and their treatments, ADHD may be underdiagnosed in this population. We hypothesized that a higher percentage of patients presenting to a seizure clinic would endorse ADHD symptoms compared to rates reported in the general population and that formal screening for ADHD symptoms would identify patients with previously undiagnosed comorbid ADHD.

METHODS

In this study, we surveyed 312 adults in a seizure clinic using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1).

RESULTS

We found that 90 patients (28.8%) screened positive with the ASRS-v1.1, but only nine of these patients were able to complete neuropsychological testing,. Out of these patients, only one was diagnosed with possible ADHD.

CONCLUSION

Through this process, we identified many challenges to making a new ADHD diagnosis in this population, including attention deficits due to other medical or psychiatric diagnoses, a positive urine drug screen, lack of collateral report/information about developmental history, and barriers to neuropsychological evaluation.

Hypnosis therapy for self-esteem in pediatric neurology practice: A pilot exploratory study

BACKGROUND

A number of pediatric conditions are chronic, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), idiopathic epilepsies, or anxiety disorder. They all have an impact on self-esteem with consequences on the quality of life. Hypnosis is a therapeutic strategy that consists in putting into trance an individual who becomes receptive to appropriate suggestions. Such an approach is now considered a simple and safe therapy with limited cost. The aim of the present study was to show the feasibility of hypnosis for improving self-esteem in children with the aforementioned conditions.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center study with prospectively collected data during routine care. Patients with ADHD, idiopathic epilepsies, or anxiety disorder and a low self-esteem were included between April 2018 and February 2020. They all underwent the same hypnosis protocol conducted by the same therapist. Self-esteem was assessed using two self-evaluation scales, the Jodoin 40 scale and Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, and a self-assigned self-esteem score at the beginning and at the end of the hypnosis session.

RESULTS

Among the 14 children included, 11 were studied (6 ADHD, 1 anxiety disorder, 4 idiopathic epilepsies). The median age at inclusion was 12.2 years and the sex ratio was 4:3 (boys:girls). Final comparisons showed that self-esteem had improved, which was statistically significant regarding the Jodoin 40 scale and the self-assigned self-esteem score (p ≤ 0.05). Neither side effect nor disease worsening was observed.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrates the feasibility of therapeutic hypnosis in clinical practice for improving self-esteem in chronic pediatric conditions.

Personalized functional brain network topography is associated with individual differences in youth cognition

Individual differences in cognition during childhood are associated with important social, physical, and mental health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Given that cortical surface arealization during development reflects the brain's functional prioritization, quantifying variation in the topography of functional brain networks across the developing cortex may provide insight regarding individual differences in cognition. We test this idea by defining personalized functional networks (PFNs) that account for interindividual heterogeneity in functional brain network topography in 9-10 year olds from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study. Across matched discovery (n = 3525) and replication (n = 3447) samples, the total cortical representation of fronto-parietal PFNs positively correlates with general cognition. Cross-validated ridge regressions trained on PFN topography predict cognition in unseen data across domains, with prediction accuracy increasing along the cortex's sensorimotor-association organizational axis. These results establish that functional network topography heterogeneity is associated with individual differences in cognition before the critical transition into adolescence.

Use of healthcare services before diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To compare use of healthcare services and reasons for attendance by children and young people (CYP) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus non-ADHD controls.

DESIGN

Population-based matched case-control study.

SETTING

English primary care electronic health records with linked hospital records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 1998-2015.

PARTICIPANTS

8127 CYP with an ADHD diagnosis aged 4-17 years at the time of diagnosis and 40 136 non-ADHD controls matched by age, sex and general practitioner (GP) practice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Medical diagnoses, prescriptions, hospital admissions and hospital procedures in the 2 years before diagnosis (or the index date for controls).

RESULTS

CYP with ADHD attended healthcare services twice as often as controls (rate ratios: GP: 2.0, 95% CI=2.0, 2.1; hospital 1.8, 95% CI=1.8, 1.9). CYP with ADHD attended their GP, received prescriptions and were admitted to hospital for a wide range of reasons. The strongest association for GP attendances, comparing CYP with versus without ADHD, was for 'mental and behavioural disorders' (OR=25.2, 95% CI=23.3, 27.2). Common reasons for GP attendance included eye, ear, nose, throat, oral (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.4, 1.5) and conditions such as asthma (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.3, 1.4) or eczema (OR=1.2, 95% CI=1.0, 1.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Two years before diagnosis, CYP with ADHD attended healthcare services twice as often as CYP without. CYP with ADHD had increased rates of physical conditions, such as asthma and eczema. These contacts may be an opportunity for earlier recognition and diagnosis of ADHD.

Effect of group sand play therapy on psychopathologies of adolescents with delinquent behaviors

Prior research has established adolescent vulnerability to delinquent behavior. This single-arm, noninterventional, observational study investigated the effect of sand play therapy on the psychopathologies of adolescents with delinquent behavior. A total of 68 adolescents participated in the study. Participants were treated with 8 weekly sessions of sand play therapy, lasting 50 minutes each and conducted in groups of 3 to 4 members. The psychopathologies of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, impulsiveness, characteristics of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and impulsiveness were measured using self-reporting scales. Following therapy, depression (t = 3.28; P = .002; ES = 0.399) and anxiety (t = 4.00; P < .001; ES = 0.485) decreased significantly with moderate effect size. ADHD characteristics (t = 2.73; P = .008) and impulsiveness (t = 2.73; P = .009) also decreased significantly with effect size of 0.330 and 0.327, respectively. Self-esteem (t = -2.06, P = .043; ES = 0.251) was found to have significantly increased. The high-risk group within each psychopathology showed significantly higher improvement than the low-risk group. Results showed that group sand play therapy is effective in improving internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety, as well as externalizing problems of ADHD features and impulsiveness among adolescents with deviant behaviors.

A Narrative Review of the Association between Prematurity and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Accompanying Inequities across the Life-Course

Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral impairments including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. In this narrative review, we examine the known associations between prematurity and ADHD and highlight the impact of both prematurity and ADHD on multiple domains across the pediatric life-course. We develop a framework for understanding the health services journey of individuals with ADHD to access appropriate services and treatments for ADHD, the "ADHD Care Cascade". We then discuss the many racial and ethnic inequities that affect the risk of preterm birth as well as the steps along the "ADHD Care Cascade". By using a life-course approach, we highlight the ways in which inequities are layered over time to magnify the neurodevelopmental impact of preterm birth on the most vulnerable children across the life-course.

A systematic review of pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents with bipolar disorders

INTRODUCTION

The data suggests that in children and adolescents, bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be strongly correlated. Even though drugs for ADHD and BD are largely accepted, there is relatively little research on the management of comorbidity in children and adolescents, particularly in terms of safety. We provide a synthesis of these findings because one hasn't been made yet.

AREAS COVERED

As a primary outcome, we wanted to determine whether stimulant or non-stimulant treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD and comorbid BD was effective. As a secondary outcome, we wanted to determine tolerability, especially the risk of mood switch.

EXPERT OPINION

The findings of this systematic review suggest that methylphenidate, when used with a mood stabilizer, may be safe and not significantly increase the risk of a manic switch or psychotic symptoms when used to treat ADHD that co-occurs with a BD. In situations where stimulants are ineffective or have low tolerance, atomoxetine also seems to be a good alternative, and also in cases of co-morbid anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders, ICT disorders, and substance use disorders. Additional research with a higher level of evidence is necessary to corroborate these preliminary findings.

Association of Socioeconomic Factors and Physical Activity with Health-Related Quality of Life in Italian Middle School Children: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides a broad assessment of an individual's well-being and can serve as a good prognosticator of life's outcomes later for children and adolescents. Understanding the factors associated with HRQoL is crucial for promoting better health and life satisfaction. This study investigated the cross-sectional association of socioeconomic status, cardio fitness, and physical activity levels with HRQoL in 224 Italian early adolescents attending secondary school in the Emilia-Romagna region located in Northern Italy. In a multivariate path regression model, younger students and females reported a higher quality of life (β = -0.139, p = 0.015, 95% CI: -0.254--0.023 and β = 0.142, p = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.011-0.273, respectively). Having both parents employed and having a higher familiar educational status were also associated with a higher quality of life (β = 0.142, p = 0.013, 95% CI 0.027-0.257 and β = 0.133, p = 0.017, 95% CI 0.022-0.244, respectively). Greater engagement in routine physical activity levels from moderate to vigorous intensity was positively associated with quality of life (β = 0.429, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.304-0.554). Endurance (speed) was positively associated with quality of life (β = 0.221, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.087-0.355), and students with longer times on the shuttle run reported less quality of life (β = -0.207, p = 0.002, 95% CI: -0.337--0.077). These relations remained intact even when controlling for socioeconomic factors. The current findings reinforce the importance of promoting regular physical activity among younger children and also addressing socioeconomic status disparities to improve children's well-being. Future studies may want to consider expanding the array of measures used to assess physical activity and include additional measures assessing nutrition, cultural factors, and family functioning, all of which can influence a child's willingness to engage in physical activity and their well-being. The emphasis on fitness and physical activity and their contribution to a child's well-being should be the prime focus for stakeholders who work in the education, public health, and health policy sectors.

Development of top-down cortical propagations in youth

Hierarchical processing requires activity propagating between higher- and lower-order cortical areas. However, functional neuroimaging studies have chiefly quantified fluctuations within regions over time rather than propagations occurring over space. Here, we leverage advances in neuroimaging and computer vision to track cortical activity propagations in a large sample of youth (n = 388). We delineate cortical propagations that systematically ascend and descend a cortical hierarchy in all individuals in our developmental cohort, as well as in an independent dataset of densely sampled adults. Further, we demonstrate that top-down, descending hierarchical propagations become more prevalent with greater demands for cognitive control as well as with development in youth. These findings emphasize that hierarchical processing is reflected in the directionality of propagating cortical activity and suggest top-down propagations as a potential mechanism of neurocognitive maturation in youth.

Health-related quality of life and perceived stress of informal caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and ADHD

Introduction

Informal caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face numerous challenges. However, no study has yet compared the HRQoL of the caregivers of children and adolescents with these two conditions. We aimed to compare the HRQoL and perceived stress of caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and ADHD.

Methods

The HRQoL and perceived stress of informal caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and ADHD (40 in each group) were compared using the perceived stress scale and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form, respectively.

Results

HRQoL was significantly worse in most dimensions in caregivers of children and adolescents with severe ADHD than in caregivers of children and adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities. However, perceived stress was similar.

Conclusion

Differences in the impact of intellectual disability and ADHD on family members' HRQoL should be considered while developing educational programs for patients and their families.

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.

Caregiver-Child Agreement in Health-Related Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Adolescents

This study examined the agreement of perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between caregivers and autistic children and adolescents (n = 133, 5-12 years) using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition (PedsQL 4.0). Results reveal good to excellent agreement over this age range across the total, physical, and psychosocial health scales. However, the emotional, social, and school functioning scores demonstrated lower agreement in dyads with children aged 5-7 than in dyads with children aged 8-12 years. Despite these differences in agreement, overall, the PedsQL 4.0 caregiver-module is a reliable instrument for measuring HRQOL in autistic individuals aged 5-12 years.

Hierarchical functional system development supports executive function

In this perspective, we describe how developmental improvements in youth executive function (EF) are supported by hierarchically organized maturational changes in functional brain systems. We first highlight evidence that functional brain systems are embedded within a hierarchical sensorimotor-association axis of cortical organization. We then review data showing that functional system developmental profiles vary along this axis: systems near the associative end become more functionally segregated, while those in the middle become more integrative. Developmental changes that strengthen the hierarchical organization of the cortex may support EF by facilitating top-down information flow and balancing within- and between-system communication. We propose a central role for attention and frontoparietal control systems in the maturation of healthy EF and suggest that reduced functional system differentiation across the sensorimotor-association axis contributes to transdiagnostic EF deficits.

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.

The distinct role of orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex in encoding impulsive choices in an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder affecting up to 5% of children worldwide. The lack of understanding of ADHD etiology prevented the development of effective treatment for the disease. Here, using in vivo electrophysiology recordings, we have recorded and analyzed the neuronal encoding of delay discounting behavior in prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). We found that in the presence of rewards, neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were activated regardless to the value of the rewards and OFC neurons in SHR exhibited significantly higher rates of neuronal discharging towards the presence of rewards. While in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), neurons of SHR responded similarly in the presence of large rewards compared with control rats whereas they displayed higher firing rates towards smaller rewards. In addition, the reward-predicting neurons in the OFC encodes for value of rewards in control animals and they were strongly activated upon receiving a small immediate reinforcer in the SHR whereas the reward-predicting neurons in the mPFC neurons generally did not respond to the value of the rewards. Our study characterized the neuronal discharging patterns of OFC and mPFC neurons in the SHR and the control animals and provided novel insights for further understanding the neuronal basis of ADHD pathology.

Symptoms associated with ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects and their impact on quality of life and work productivity in adults with ADHD

OBJECTIVE

Describe symptoms associated with ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects among adults with ADHD in the US and assess their impact on quality of life (QoL) and work productivity.

METHODS

An online survey among adults receiving ADHD medications in the US was conducted to collect information relating to symptoms associated with ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects. Participants were recruited from the panel of a well-established market research firm, Dynata, from 26 July to 30 July 2021 and were included in the study if they met the eligibility criteria and were willing to participate in the survey. Correlations between symptoms and key outcomes (QoL/employment/work impairment) were estimated using linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 585 participants, 95.2% experienced ≥1 symptom associated with ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects in the past month (average = 5.8 symptoms). The number of symptoms was significantly correlated with reduced QoL, reduced probability of being employed, and increased work/activity impairment. Among subgroups with insomnia/other sleep disturbances and emotional impulsivity/mood lability, 50.4% and 44.7% reported their symptoms had "a lot" or "extremely" negative impact on their overall well-being, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms associated with ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects are common and have a substantial negative impact on QoL and reduces patients' probability of employment. Improved management of ADHD/treatment-related adverse side effects and more tolerable treatment options have the potential to improve QoL and work productivity among adults with ADHD.

Screening of ADHD symptoms in primary school students and investigation of parental awareness of ADHD and its influencing factors: A cross-sectional study

Objective

The present study aimed to compare the differences in positive screening rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms between parents and teachers in the same sample of primary school students. Concurrently, parental awareness and information sources of ADHD were investigated, and possible relevant factors affecting parental awareness and their influence on positive screening rate of ADHD were analyzed.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Changchun, China, between September 2020 and January 2021. Parents of 1,118 primary school students and 24 head teachers were recruited in the survey. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. It consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, ADHD symptom screening questionnaire, parental awareness, and information sources of ADHD.

Results

Among the 1,118 primary school students, 30 (2.7%) and 60 (5.4%) students were positive for Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale (SNAP-IV) screening in the parent version and teacher version, respectively. Parents had lower positive screening rates for ADHD symptoms than teachers. Relationship with children (mother, OR = 1.552, 95% CI = 1.104-2.180), bachelor degree or above of parents (OR = 1.526, 95% CI = 1.054-2.210), children's sex (girl, OR = 1.442, 95% CI = 1.093-1.904), and age (OR = 1.344, 95% CI = 1.030-1.754), children's grade (grade 2, OR = 0.522, 95% CI = 0.310-0.878; grade 3, OR = 0.388, 95% CI = 0.185-0.782), information sources of ADHD (medical staff, OR = 1.494, 95% CI = 1.108-2.015; family/relative/friend, OR = 1.547, 95% CI = 1.148-2.083; TV/Internet, OR = 3.200, 95% CI = 2.270-4.510) were the factors related to the parental awareness of ADHD.

Conclusion

Parents and teachers of primary school students recognize ADHD symptoms differently. The positive screening rate of ADHD among teachers was significantly higher than that of parents. Relationship with children, educational level of parents, children's sex, age, and grade, and information sources of ADHD are the relevant factors affecting parental awareness of ADHD. More efforts should be made to disseminate ADHD knowledge through mass media, and medical staff. Fathers, parents with low educational level, and parents of grade 2 and 3 pupils should be encouraged to acquire more knowledge on ADHD to improve the early recognition rate of ADHD symptoms.

Clinical trial registration

[http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=54 072], identifier [ChiCTR2000033388].

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Head Trauma and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Primary School Children Admitted to the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE

Head trauma causes a significant number of deaths as well as temporary and permanent disabilities every year. In this study, the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in primary school children who visited the emergency department (ED) for mild head trauma and the role of ADHD in mild head trauma of this age group were investigated.

METHODS

It was performed with 134 children of primary school age (6-12 years) who were admitted to the ED with mild head trauma and 134 children (control group) who presented with complaints other than head trauma. Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S) was used to evaluate the children for suspected ADHD. According to this scale, some children were referred to the child and adolescent psychiatry department (CAPD) for further evaluation. At the CAPD outpatient clinics, the children who were referred from the ED were examined in detail according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition , for possible diagnosis of ADHD. After evaluation of their sociodemographic characteristics and the ADHD test scores that were recorded, the diagnosis of ADHD in these children was established or ruled out.

RESULTS

It was observed that 41 of the 134 children (30.60%) who presented to the ED with mild head trauma and 12 of the 134 children (8.96%) in the control group were diagnosed with ADHD ( P = 0.0001). When ADHD is corrected for sex, 29 of the 41 cases (70.7%) diagnosed with ADHD were boys and 12 (29.3%) were girls ( P = 0.000). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition , when the patients who had been diagnosed with ADHD were grouped according to the ages of the children, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of ADHD ( P = 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of ADHD has been found to be higher in children of primary school age who present to the ED with mild head trauma. Hence, it can be deduced that the diagnosis of childhood ADHD increases the risk of presenting to the ED with head trauma. We believe that it is very important to keep the possible diagnosis of ADHD in mind and to refer that cases to the CAPD in case of high clinical suspicion, especially in primary school boys who are admitted to the ED with mild head trauma. We believe that in this way, morbidity and mortality due to head trauma in this age group can be significantly reduced.

A Machine Learning Approach to Assess Differential Item Functioning of the KINDL Quality of Life Questionnaire Across Children with and Without ADHD

This study aimed to investigate differential item functioning (DIF) of the child and parent reports of the KINDL measure across children with and without Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The sample included 122 children with ADHD and 1086 healthy peers, alongside 127 and 1061 of their parents, respectively. The generalized partial credit model with lasso penalization, as a machine learning method, was used to assess DIF of the KINDL across the two groups. The findings showed that three out of 24 items of the child reports and seven out of 24 items of the parent reports of the KINDL exhibited DIF between children with and without ADHD. Accordingly, Iranian children with and without ADHD along with their parents perceive almost all items in the KINDL similarly. Hence, the observed difference in quality of life scores between children with and without ADHD is a real difference and not a reflection of measurement bias.

MetaCogs: Mitigating Executive Dysfunction via Agent-Based Modeling for Metacognitive Strategy Development

Executive functions (EF) are a collection of cognitive domains governing task initiation, motor planning, attention, and goal-oriented action. Difficulties with EF have marked impacts on adaptive living skills, learning outcomes, and quality of life for people with cognitive and psychosocial disabilities, as well as the broader population. While there is considerable research interest in EF training intervention for disabled populations, very few studies explore metacognitive intervention for people with cognitive disabilities. Metacognition comprises conscious beliefs and strategies around task management and goal setting. Metacognitive awareness has been shown to mediate the effects of executive function on self-regulated learning. Metacognitive interventions have also shown promise in general education, military training, and medical practice. We present a virtual reality experience deploying agent-based modeling to support explicit metacognitive strategy instruction for undergraduate students of all neurotypes. Our results support that explicit instructional material explaining executive function and metacognition in relation to problem-solving experiences influenced participant self-concept and awareness of personal traits and cognitive processes.

ADHD Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life of Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract. Background: Adolescence and young adulthood present particularly challenging periods for individuals affected by attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, unlike childhood ADHD, ADHD among adolescents and young adults has been studied less frequently. A concept that can be used to characterize the experiences of individuals with ADHD symptoms is health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which encompasses well-being in various dimensions. Aims: The present study used a school-based sample in the German-speaking part of Switzerland to investigate the association between ADHD symptoms and HRQoL of adolescents and young adults. Method: A total of 907 individuals aged 14–24 years ( M = 17.69; SD = 1.66; 58.9% female) were surveyed regarding ADHD symptoms and HRQoL. Results: Multiple hierarchical regression analyses disclosed that ADHD symptoms were negatively related to all subdimensions of HRQoL. Moreover, adolescents with clinically significant or subclinical ADHD symptoms showed lower values in all examined dimensions – physical, emotional, self-esteem, family, friends/peers, and school/education – than adolescents with unremarkable ADHD symptoms. An exception was the well-being concerning friends/peers. Limitations: The present study used a cross-sectional design and a selective sample of school classes. ADHD symptoms were assessed using self-reports without any diagnostic judgment. Conclusion: The results illustrate the comprehensive effects of ADHD symptoms on well-being during adolescence and young adulthood. They highlight the importance of focusing more on ADHD during these stages of age, also considering individuals with symptoms in the subclinical range.

Contributing factors to heterogeneity in the timing of the onset of major depressive episode: Results from a national study

INTRODUCTION

It remains unclear whether specific clinical factors contribute to heterogeneity in the timing of the onset of major depression.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative US adult sample, the second wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, we compared the characteristics of 5 different groups of patients defined by their age at onset: (i) before 18 years, (ii) between 18 and 34 years, (iii) between 35 and 44 years, (iv) between 45 and 59 years, and (v) 60 years or older. Specifically, we examined parental history of psychiatric disorders, history of childhood maltreatment experiences, sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime psychiatric disorders, and psychiatric disorders that occurred before the first major depressive episode (MDE).

RESULTS

Compared with first MDE occurring between 18 and 34 years, first MDE before 18 years was more strongly associated with childhood maltreatment and family history of psychiatric disorders, and less strongly linked to prior lifetime psychiatric disorders, whereas first MDE occurring at 60 years and older was more strongly associated with widowhood and a prior lifetime history of generalized anxiety disorder.

LIMITATIONS

Associations found cannot be interpzreted as causal relationships due to study design and the risk of recall bias.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest substantial age differences in risk factors for first MDE. Improving early detection and treatment of major depression and other psychiatric disorders, and preventing childhood maltreatment may have broad benefits to reduce the burden of MDE at all ages.

Unique and overlapping contributions of sustained attention and working memory to parent and teacher ratings of inattentive behavior

Sustained attention and working memory are two closely intertwined executive functions that may underlie inattentive behavior. However, little research has teased apart their precise contributions in a single study. This study examines the extent to which ratings of children's inattentive behavior are associated with these executive functions. Specifically, we investigated the unique and overlapping statistical contributions of sustained attention capacity and working memory capacity to parent and teacher ratings of inattentive behavior (operationalized as scores on both the Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive scales of the Conners' Rating Scale), while controlling for IQ. Children aged 8-11 years completed measures of sustained attention capacity, working memory capacity and IQ. Parents and teachers completed Conners-3 Parent and Teacher Short Forms, as a measure of inattentive behavior. We found that the unique statistical contribution of sustained attention capacity emerged as the most important factor in both parent and teacher ratings of inattentive behavior, with effects of moderate magnitude. In contrast, working memory capacity accounted for a small amount of variance. The overlap between sustained attention and working memory explained a small but substantive amount of variance in inattentive behavior. These findings support the idea that sustained attention and working memory are distinct executive functions that may contribute to goal-directed behavior both uniquely and through their interactions.

Economic burden of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children and adolescents in the United States: a societal perspective

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive evaluation of the economic burden associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children and adolescents from a US societal perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Direct healthcare costs of children (5-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) with ADHD were obtained using claims data from the IBM MarketScan Research Databases (01/01/2017-12/31/2018). Direct non-healthcare and indirect costs were estimated based on literature and government publications. Each cost component was estimated using a prevalence-based approach, with per-patient costs extrapolated to the national level.

RESULTS

The total annual societal excess costs associated with ADHD were estimated at $19.4 billion among children ($6,799 per child) and $13.8 billion among adolescents ($8,349 per adolescent). Education costs contributed to approximately half of the total excess costs in both populations ($11.6 billion [59.9%] in children; $6.7 billion [48.8%] in adolescents). Other major contributors to the overall burden were direct healthcare costs ($5.0 billion [25.9%] in children; $4.0 billion [29.0%] in adolescents) and caregiving costs ($2.7 billion [14.1%] in children; $1.6 billion [11.5%] in adolescents).

LIMITATIONS

Cost estimates were calculated based on available literature and/or governmental publications due to the absence of a single data source for all costs associated with ADHD. Thus, the quality of cost estimates is limited by the accuracy of available data as well as the study populations and methodologies used by different studies.

CONCLUSION

ADHD in children and adolescents is associated with a substantial economic burden that is largely driven by education costs, followed by direct healthcare costs and caregiver costs. Improved intervention strategies and policies may reduce the clinical and economic burden of ADHD in these populations.

Dental caries in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more affected by dental caries than children without ADHD by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

DESIGN

Electronic searches was performed in four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) in July 2021. Grey literature search in OpenGrey, a search in Google Scholar, and searches in the reference list of included articles were also conducted. The eligibility criteria were observational studies in which children with ADHD were compared with children without ADHD with respect to the dental caries. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, applying the Joanna Briggs tool were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis and assessment of heterogeneity among studies were conducted with the meta-package of RStudio using the R programming language (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Results of meta-analysis were provided in mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR), and confidence intervals (CI). For assessment of heterogeneity, Baujat plot and influence analysis plot were obtained.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included and 10 were incorporated into meta-analyses. The meta-analysis showed that children with ADHD had a higher decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index than their peers without ADHD (I²=42%; MD=0.75 [0.38-1.13]). For decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS) (I²=0; MD=0.39 [-0.02-0.80]) and decayed surfaces (DS/ds) (I²=0%; MD=0.35 [-0.63-1.33]), no difference between groups was observed. In addition, children with ADHD had higher odds of having dental caries than their healthy peers (OR = 3.31 [1.25, 8.73]; I² = 0%). After assessment of heterogeneity among studies, sensitivity analysis was conducted for DMFT. One study was removed and the significant difference between groups remained. Children with ADHD had a significantly higher DMFT index than their peers without ADHD (MD = 0.98 [CI = 0.75, 1.20]; I² = 0%) Risk of bias ranged from low to high.

CONCLUSION

The main shortcoming of the included studies is the high risk of bias regarding the strategies to deal with confounding factors. Within its limitations, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that children with ADHD were more likely to develop dental caries than their healthy counterparts.

FUNDING

No funding Registration: CRD42021238923.

Associations between sleep, daytime sleepiness and functional outcomes in adolescents with ADHD

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience greater difficulties in the domains of sleep, daytime sleepiness, and functioning compared to their peers. However, the relationship between these domains has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep problems (including daytime sleepiness), ADHD severity, and functional outcomes (irritability, sluggish cognitive tempo, homework difficulties, and substance use) in a sample of adolescents with ADHD.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Eighty-two adolescents (13-17 years) and their families participated in the study. Sleep was measured by both adolescent and parent-report. Adolescent irritability and sluggish cognitive tempo were reported by both adolescents and parents, while other variables were reported by a single reporter (homework difficulties - parent; ADHD severity - parent; substance use - adolescent). Analyses controlled for demographic factors and internalising and externalising comorbidities.

RESULTS

A weak relationship was found between adolescent-reported sleep problems and daytime sleepiness, which became non-significant in adjusted analyses (β = -0.19, p = 0.115). In adjusted analyses, there was an association between adolescent-reported sleep problems and adolescent-reported irritability (β = -0.27, p = 0.023) as well as between adolescent-reported daytime sleepiness and parent-reported sluggish cognitive tempo (β = 0.28, p = 0.033). In adjusted analyses, parent-reported adolescent sleep problems were associated with ADHD severity (β = 0.54, p = <0.001), parent-reported sluggish cognitive tempo (β = 0.64, p = <0.001), both reporters of irritability (parent-report: β = 0.32, p = 0.004; adolescent-report: β = 0.29, p = 0.022), and homework problems (β = 0.37, p = 0.003). Parent-reported daytime sleepiness was associated with parent-reported sluggish cognitive tempo (β = 0.34, p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the importance of a holistic assessment of adolescents with ADHD, not only focusing on symptomatology but also on sleep problems and functional outcomes. The importance of multi-informant assessment of sleep problems is also reinforced.

Relationship between Bullying Victimization and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Taiwan: Mediation of the Effects of Emotional Problems and ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Symptoms

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediating effects of emotional problems including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms on the association between bullying victimization and quality of life (QoL) among adolescents with ADHD in Taiwan. A total of 171 adolescents diagnosed as having ADHD participated in this study. Adolescents completed the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire, the Taiwanese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Taiwanese version of the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children. Caregivers completed the Chinese version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version IV Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships among the variables. The results of SEM revealed that bullying victimization indirectly correlated with QoL through the mediation of emotional problems in adolescents with ADHD, whereas ADHD and ODD symptoms did not mediate the association between bullying victimization and QoL. Bullying victimization should be actively prevented and intervened on to ensure better QoL in adolescents with ADHD. Moreover, emotional problems should be alleviated among adolescents with ADHD with bullying victimization experience to maintain their QoL.

Quality of life improvement in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder reduces family's strain: A structural equation model approach

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to analyse how the quality of life of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts the relationship between disease severity and family burden.

METHOD

The data collected by a longitudinal, observational study involving 1478 children with ADHD residing in 10 European countries (aged 6 to 18 years) were analysed to evaluate the relationships between ADHD severity, the children's quality of life and family burden.

RESULTS

The disorder's severity directly and indirectly affected the children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and family burden. The degree of family burden was modulated by the children's HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

One of the primary causes of the stress experienced by parents of children with ADHD is their perception of the child's reduced HRQoL and not the symptom severity itself. Efforts to minimize symptom severity cannot alone reduce family burden.

The Influence of Prenatal DHA Supplementation on Individual Domains of Behavioral Functioning in School-Aged Children: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in the fetal brain during pregnancy and is thought to have a role in supporting neurodevelopment. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in women with a singleton pregnancy who were <21 weeks’ gestation at trial entry. Women were provided with 800 mg DHA/day or a placebo supplement from trial entry until birth. When children reached seven years of age, we invited parents to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Conners 3rd Edition Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Index to assess child behavior and behavioral manifestations of executive dysfunction. There were 543 parent–child pairs (85% of those eligible) that participated in the follow-up. Scores were worse in the DHA group than the placebo group for the BRIEF Global Executive, Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition Indexes, and the Shift, Inhibit, Monitor, Working Memory, and Organization of Materials scales, as well as for the Conners 3 ADHD index, and the SDQ Total Difficulties score, Hyperactivity/Inattention score, and Peer Relationship Problems score. In this healthy, largely term-born sample of children, prenatal DHA supplementation conferred no advantage to childhood behavior, and instead appeared to have an adverse effect on behavioral functioning, as assessed by standardized parental report scales.

Efficacy and safety of methylphenidate on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common co-morbidity that affects up to 44% of children with Down syndrome (DS). There is a need for reliable, good quality research on the use of methylphenidate within this population. The objective of this study is to report our experience regarding the management of ADHD in these children using methylphenidate.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective observation of 21 children with DS, followed at Jérôme Lejeune Institute between 2000 and 2018. The diagnosis of ADHD was made using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. Efficacy was measured as response or non-response on two main symptoms: attention/concentration and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Safety was evaluated by the presence or absence of side effects.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of the 21 children (76%) showed improvement with methylphenidate. The average age of treatment onset in responding children was 8 years and 10 months versus 6 years and 3 months in non-responders (P = 0.05). Average dose/weight was significantly different in responders and non-responders (0.82 vs. 0.54 mg/kg/day, respectively; P = 0.03). Twelve children out of 21 (57%) experienced side effects; only three experienced side effects severe enough to require treatment interruption. Most common side effects were loss of appetite and difficulties in falling asleep.

CONCLUSION

Methylphenidate was effective and safe in treating ADHD in 76% of cases in children with DS, with few serious side effects to report. Early diagnosis of ADHD is important to improve the quality of life, learning, inclusion and socialisation of children with DS.

The Impact of the Comorbidity of ASD and ADHD on Social Impairment

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) both experience behavioral and social difficulties. Prior research has shown that when these disorders co-occur, behavioral symptoms associated with both disorders may be more severe. There is only limited research on the impact of ASD + ADHD comorbidity on social functioning. The present study investigated social impairment in 282 children diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD. No significant differences in social impairment were found between the ASD and ASD + ADHD groups. This study contributes to extant literature indicating mixed findings in regard to social functioning amidst the ASD + ADHD comorbidity.

Efficacy and Safety of Medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents with Common Comorbidities: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Comorbid psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occur frequently, complicate management, and are associated with substantial burden on patients and caregivers. Very few systematic reviews have assessed the efficacy and safety of medications for ADHD in children and adolescents with comorbidities. Of those that were conducted, most focused on a particular comorbidity or medication. In this systematic literature review, we summarize the efficacy and safety of treatments for children and adolescents with ADHD and comorbid autism spectrum disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, Tourette’s disorder and other tic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov (to October 2019) for studies of patients (aged < 18 years) with an ADHD diagnosis and the specified comorbidities treated with amphetamines, methylphenidate and derivatives, atomoxetine (ATX), and guanfacine extended-release (GXR). For efficacy, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses of RCTs were eligible for inclusion; for safety, all study types were eligible. The primary efficacy outcome measure was ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) total score.

Results

Of 2177 publications/trials retrieved, 69 were included in this systematic literature review (5 meta-analyses, 37 placebo-controlled RCTs, 16 cohort studies, 11 case reports). A systematic narrative synthesis is provided because insufficient data were retrieved to combine ADHD-RS-IV total scores or effect sizes. Effect sizes for ADHD-RS-IV total scores were available for ten RCTs and ranged from 0.46 to 1.0 for ATX and from 0.92 to 2.0 for GXR across comorbidities. The numbers and types of adverse events in children with comorbidities were consistent with those in children without comorbidities, but treatment should be individualized to ensure children can tolerate the lowest effective dose.

Conclusion

Limited information is available from placebo-controlled RCTs on the efficacy (by ADHD-RS-IV) or safety of medication in children with ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities. Further studies are required to support evidence-based drug selection for these populations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-021-00249-0.

Effect of Parent Training on Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschool Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Secondary Analysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

School-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but it is unclear whether this is also true for preschool children. It is unknown whether parent training (PT) improves HRQoL. This study compared HRQoL in preschool children with ADHD with age-matched children from the general population; examined whether PT improves HRQoL; and tested if treatment-related changes in HRQoL were mediated by improvements in ADHD, parent efficacy, and family stress.

METHOD

Parents of 164 children age 3-7 years with an ADHD diagnosis participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing the New Forest Parenting Programme and treatment as usual. Measures of HRQoL, ADHD, parent efficacy, and family stress were completed at baseline, posttreatment, and 36-week follow-up. Child baseline HRQoL was compared with 2 general population-based reference groups. PT effects were analyzed using linear models and mediation analyses.

RESULTS

Preschoolers with ADHD had lower HRQoL than the reference groups. The New Forest Parenting Programme, but not treatment as usual, was associated with improvement in psychosocial HRQoL at posttreatment (change 2.28, 95% CI [0.78, 3.77]) and at 36-week follow-up (change 2.05, 95% CI [0.56, 3.54]). This difference between treatment arms was not statistically significant. Parent efficacy and family stress scores at posttreatment significantly mediated improvements in HRQoL at 36-week follow-up; ADHD scores at posttreatment did not.

CONCLUSION

ADHD negatively impacts HRQoL in early childhood. PT for ADHD has the potential to improve HRQoL independently of its effects on ADHD symptoms.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

A Controlled Study of Parent Training in the Treatment of ADHD in Young Children (D'SNAPP); http://clinicaltrial.gov/; NCT01684644.

Children With ADHD Engage in Less Physical Activity

Background: Children with ADHD should engage in physical activity, given its known role as a treatment adjunct. Objective: The main objective of this study is to assess the relationship between ADHD diagnosis and physical activity among children in the United States. Methods: This retrospective population-based cross-sectional study used data from the 2016 caregiver reported, National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Results: In the adjusted binary model, children with an ADHD diagnosis had 21% lower odds of engaging in daily physical activity than their nondiagnosed counterparts. In the adjusted multinomial model, children with ADHD were increasingly unlikely to report additional days of physical activity as compared to those without a diagnosis. Conclusion: Given the known benefits of physical activity for those with ADHD, this study underscores the need for enhanced access to an important treatment adjunct for this population.

The association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and retinal nerve fiber/ganglion cell layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Retinal nerve fiber/ganglion cell layer (RNFL/GCL) thickness measured using optical coherence tomography has been proposed as an ocular biomarker for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but findings varied in different studies. This study aims to determine the association between RNFL/GCL thickness and ADHD in children by systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We performed a literature search in Embase, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for relevant articles published up to February 29, 2020. All studies with original data comparing RNFL/GCL thickness in ADHD and healthy children were included. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess bias risk and quality of evidence. Pooled estimates of the differences in thickness of RNFL or GCL between ADHD and healthy subjects were generated using meta-analysis with a random-effect model due to significant inter-study heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

We identified four eligible studies involving a total of 164 ADHD and 150 control subjects. Meta-analysis revealed that ADHD in children was associated with a reduction in global RNFL thickness (SMD, - 0.23; 95% CI - 0.46, - 0.01; p = 0.04). The global GCL thickness was examined in two studies with 89 ADHD and 75 control subjects, but the pooled difference in global GCL thickness between ADHD children and controls was not statistically significant (SMD, - 0.34; 95% CI - 1.25, 0.58; p = 0.47).

CONCLUSION

Existing evidence suggests a possible association between ADHD and RNFL thinning in children. In view of the limited number of reports, further studies in large cohorts should be warranted.

The Association between Prosocial Behaviour and Peer Relationships with Comorbid Externalizing Disorders and Quality of Life in Treatment-Naïve Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Several recent studies confirmed that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has a negative influence on peer relationship and quality of life in children. The aim of the current study is to investigate the association between prosocial behaviour, peer relationships and quality of life in treatment naïve ADHD samples. The samples included 79 children with ADHD (64 boys and 15 girls, mean age = 10.24 years, SD = 2.51) and 54 healthy control children (30 boys and 23 girls, mean age = 9.66 years, SD = 1.73). Measurements included: The "Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Kid; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire" and the "Inventar zur Erfassung der Lebensqualität bei Kindern und Jugendlichen". The ADHD group showed significantly lower levels of prosocial behaviour and more problems with peer relationships than the control group. Prosocial behaviour has a weak positive correlation with the rating of the child's quality of life by the parents, both in the ADHD group and in the control group. The rating of quality of life and peer relationship problems by the parents also showed a significant negative moderate association in both groups. The rating of quality of life by the child showed a significant negative weak relationship with peer relationships in the ADHD group, but no significant relationship was found in the control group. Children with ADHD and comorbid externalizing disorders showed more problems in peer relationships than ADHD without comorbid externalizing disorders. Based on these results, we conclude that therapy for ADHD focused on improvement of prosocial behaviour and peer relationships as well as comorbid externalizing disorders could have a favourable effect on the quality of life of these children.

Optimising medication management in children and young people with ADHD using a computerised test (QbTest): a feasibility randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be closely monitored to ensure optimisation. There is growing interest in using computerised assessments of ADHD symptoms to support medication monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of one such computerised assessment, the Quantified Behavior (Qb) Test, as part of medication management for ADHD.

METHODS

This feasibility multi-site RCT conducted in child and adolescent mental health and community paediatric settings recruited participants aged 6-15 years diagnosed with ADHD starting stimulant medication. Participants were randomised into one of two arms: experimental (QbTest protocol) where participants completed a QbTest at baseline and two follow-up QbTests on medication (2-4 weeks and 8-10 weeks later) and control where participants received treatment as usual, including at least two follow-up consultations. Measures of parent, teacher, and clinician-rated symptoms and global functioning were completed at each time point. Clinicians recorded treatment decision-making and health economic measures were obtained. Data were analysed using multi-level modelling and participants (children and parents) and clinicians were interviewed about their experiences, resulting data were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Forty-four children and young people were randomised. Completion of study outcome measures by care-givers and teachers ranged from 52 to 78% at baseline to 47-65% at follow-up. Participants reported the questionnaires to be useful to complete. SNAP-IV inattention scores showed greater reduction in the intervention than the control group (- 5.85, 95% CI - 10.33, - 1.36,). Engagement with the intervention ranged from 100% at baseline, to 78% follow-up 1 and 57% follow-up 2. However, only 37% of QbTests were conducted in the correct time period. Interview data highlighted that the objectivity of the QbTest was appreciated by clinicians and parents. Clinicians commented that the additional time and resources required meant that it is not feasible to use QbTest for all cases.

CONCLUSION

The trial design and protocol appear to be feasible and acceptable but could be improved by modifying QbTest time periods and the method of data collection. With these changes, the protocol may be appropriate for a full trial. Adding QbTest may improve symptom outcome as measured by SNAP-IV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03368573 , prospectively registered, 11th December 2017, and ISRCTN, ISRCTN69461593 , retrospectively registered, 10th April 2018.

Health Behavior, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Mental Health Among Canadian Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Objective: Studies that have reported the associations of diet quality, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with mental health among children and adolescents are predominantly cross-sectional in design. Very few studies have examined the longitudinal relationship of mental health with health behavior and HRQoL among children. This study aimed to investigate the associations of diet quality, PA, SB, and HRQoL among children with mental health disorders throughout childhood.

Methods: We linked data from grade five students aged primarily 10 and 11 years who participated in the Raising Healthy Eating and Active Living (REAL) Kids Alberta survey in 2012 in the Canadian province of Alberta with their administrative health care data from birth to 2012. Mental health outcomes included internalizing disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) defined by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or Tenth Revision, Canadian version (ICD-10-CA). The HRQoL was measured by the EQ-5D-Y, a five-dimensional descriptive system for children and youth. We applied negative binomial regressions to examine the associations between health behaviors, HRQoL, and mental health.

Results: Of the 1,352 participating students, 12.31 and 8.32% had a diagnosis of internalizing disorders and ADHDs, respectively, during childhood from birth to the ages of 10–11 years. Students in the highest tertile for diet quality, relative to the lowest tertile, were 56% less likely to have diagnoses of internalizing disorders (incidence rate ratio, IRR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.23–0.85). Students engaged in less PA (vs. more PA) were more likely to be diagnosed for internalizing disorders (IRR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.19–3.30). Poorer diet quality, low PA, excessive use of computers/video games, and watching TV were significantly associated with more diagnoses of ADHDs. Children who experienced some or a lot of problems in “feeling worried, sad, or unhappy” and “having pain or discomfort” were more likely to receive diagnoses of internalizing disorders and ADHDs, respectively.

Conclusions: These observed associations suggest that health promotion programs targeting promoting diet quality, PA, and HRQoL and reducing SB among children may contribute to improving mental health.

Racial Disparities in Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a US National Birth Cohort

IMPORTANCE

There are limited data on the racial disparities in the incidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in children at the national level.

OBJECTIVE

To explore differences in rates of diagnosis of ADHD and use of treatment among children by race and ethnicity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study assessed insurance claims data of children born in the US between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2012, who had continuous insurance coverage for at least 4 years. The last date of follow-up included in the cohort was June 30, 2019. Race/ethnicity designations were based on self-report and included non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Data were analyzed between October 2019 and December 2020.

EXPOSURES

Race and ethnicity.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

ADHD diagnosis as defined by International Classification of Diseases codes (ninth or tenth editions) and treatment within 1 year of diagnosis, including medication and behavior therapy as defined by billing codes. Data on ADHD diagnosis and treatment were adjusted for sex, region, and household income in a multivariate Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Among 238 011 children in the cohort (116 093 [48.8%] girls; 15 183 [6.7%] Asian, 14 792 [6.2%] Black, 23 358 [9.8%] Hispanic, and 173 082 [72.7%] White children), 11 401 (4.8%) were diagnosed with ADHD. The cumulative incidence at age 12 was 13.12% (95% CI, 12.79%-13.46%). In multivariate Cox regression adjusting for sex, region, and household income, the hazard ratio for Asian children was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.43-0.53); Black children, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77-0.90); and Hispanic children, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.72, 0.82) compared with White children. In the first year after diagnosis, 516 preschool children (19.4%) received behavioral therapy only, 860 (32.4%) had medications only, 505 (19.0%) had both, and 774 (29.2%) had no claims associated with either option. A higher percentage of school-aged children (2904 [65.6%]) were prescribed medications, and fewer had therapy only (639 [14.4%]) or no treatment at all (884 [20.0%]). Compared with other groups, White children were more likely to receive some kind of treatment. Asian children had the highest odds of receiving no treatment (odds ratio compared with White children, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.42-0.70).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Racial and ethnic disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD are evident. Future study is needed to elucidate the mechanism behind these disparities, with special attention to Asian children. Clinicians should provide racially sensitive care in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD.