By the book: ADHD prevalence in medical students varies with analogous methods of addressing DSM items

Is the Consumption of Added Sugar from Common Beverages Associated with the Presence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Thai Medical Students?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) significantly affects the well-being of medical students in various aspects. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) pose a potential risk of ADHD. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms and the association between consumption of added sugar in common beverages and ADHD symptoms in Thai medical students. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students at Chiang Mai University from May 2022 to April 2023. The consumption of added sugar from common beverages in Thailand was assessed using the Thai Adolescence Sugar Sweetened Beverage Intake (THASSI) questionnaire. An Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) score ≥ 3 identified the presence of ADHD symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used for the analysis. Of 441 participants, 29.9% had ADHD symptoms. Daily consumption of added sugar from beverages higher than 25 g/day showed an increased risk of ADHD symptoms (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95%CI 1.15 to 2.84, p = 0.011). The same trend was observed when using the sex-specific cutoff points (adjusted OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.10 to 2.73, p = 0.018). Higher consumption of added sugar from beverages may increase the risk of ADHD symptoms in Thai medical students. This finding supports the implementation of health policies that promote healthy consumption behaviors among medical students.

Magnitude, relationship and determinants of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression among University of Gondar undergraduate students, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022: Non-recursive structural equation modeling

BACKGROUND

Up to 80% of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a concomitant psychiatric disorder. ADHD and depression, combined with the demands of University life, can pose serious challenges for students. However, there are limited studies conducted on this topic in our country. Therefore, the current study assessed the magnitude, relationship, and determinants of ADHD and depressive symptoms among students at the University of Gondar.

METHOD

An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among 1514 undergraduate students at the University of Gondar from June 1-20, 2022. A stratified, simple random sampling technique was applied. Structural equation modeling was employed. The degree of relationship was interpreted based on the adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value (<0.05).

RESULT

In our study, 37.6% [CI: 35.2-40.1%] and 20.01% [CI: 18.1-22.1%] of the participants had depressive and ADHD symptoms, respectively. Chronic illness [β = 0.19, CI; 0.09, 0.30], alcohol use [β = 0.10, CI; 0.03, 0.17], social support [β = -0.23, CI; -0.29, -0.17], problematic internet use (PIU) [β = 0.23, CI; 0.18, 0.27], and insomnia [β = 0.24, CI; 0.17, 0.30] had a direct relationship with depressive symptoms. Mother education level [β = -0.09, CI; -0.13, -0.06], birth order [β = -0.09, CI; -0.11, -0.07], chat chewing [β = 0.18, CI; 0.06, 0.30], and depressive symptoms [β = 0.73, CI; 0.62, 0.86] had a direct relationship with ADHD. Chronic illness [β = 0.14, CI; 0.06, 0.22], PIU [β = 0.16, CI; 0.13, 0.21], social support [β = -0.16, CI; -0.22, -0.12], and insomnia [β = 0.17, CI; 0.13, 0.23] had an indirect effect on ADHD.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The prevalence of ADHD and depressive symptoms was high. Chronic disease, alcohol use, social support, PIU, and insomnia had a direct effect on depressive symptoms and an indirect effect on ADHD. Mother education, birth order, chat chewing, and depressive symptoms had a direct effect on ADHD. Our study provided useful clues for clinical treatment and school-based interventions that aim to improve college students' mental well-being. It is better to design school-based intervention and prevention programs to achieve timely diagnosis and treatment of these disorders among university students.

The Association Between Lipedema and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Introduction The current study aimed to investigate the overlap between symptoms of lipedema and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lipedema is a condition that causes abnormal fat accumulation and inflammation in the legs and buttocks, often accompanied by edema and pain. ADHD is a common condition characterized by difficulty paying attention and controlling behavior, affecting the social, academic, and occupational quality of life. The study's primary objective was to assess the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in a population of women with lipedema symptoms and compare the clinical characteristics. Method The study used a lipedema screening questionnaire and the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS-18) to assess the prevalence of ADHD in a sample of 354 female volunteers with or without a prior lipedema diagnosis. Results Of the lipedema group, 100 (77%) were ASRS positive, and 30 (23%) were ASRS negative. In the group without lipedema, 121 (54%) were ASRS positive, and 103 (46%) were ASRS negative, with a relative risk of 1.424 (p<0.0001). Conclusion Our results demonstrate a positive correlation between lipedema and ADHD and suggest that targeted strategies to improve clinic attendance for individuals with ADHD may improve lipedema treatment outcomes. Patients with lipedema symptoms are more likely to have ADHD symptoms.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Medical Learners and Physicians and a Potentially Helpful Educational Tool

Purpose

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by functionally impairing levels of inattention and/or hyperactive-impulsive behavior. It affects 3% to 5% of adults. This perspective piece aims to highlight the occurrence of ADHD in medical learners and physicians, including its reported prevalence in these groups, why reported rates may reflect underestimates, consequences of untreated symptoms, and a potentially helpful innovative educational tool to assist these individuals with a critical aspect of medical training and practice.

Results

Despite recent attention being paid to concerning levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout in medical learners and physicians, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the occurrence of ADHD in these groups. Reported rates of ADHD in medical learners and physicians, though low compared to rates of other mental health conditions and compared to rates of ADHD in the general population, may represent underestimates for a variety of reasons. The consequences of untreated ADHD symptoms are likely numerous and significant for these groups. Research has shown that about half of adults with ADHD discontinue prescribed treatment (stimulant medication) over time due to lack of perceived effectiveness, highlighting the need for durable, effective interventions to help medical learners and physicians with ADHD during and after their training. An innovative educational tool to assist medical learners and physicians with ADHD with a critical facet of their training and practice - the reading of scientific articles - is proposed, including a description of the tool, rationale for its design, practical considerations around implementation, and proposed directions for future research.

Conclusion

Untreated ADHD in medical learners and physicians may have numerous and significant consequences that can adversely impact training, practice, and ultimately patient care. These challenges warrant proper support for medical learners and physicians with ADHD via evidence-based treatments, program-based accommodations, and innovative educational tools.

Analysis of personality traits and academic performance in higher education at a Colombian university

This paper arises from the question of the correlation between specific personality traits and academic performance, since it is of crucial importance to consider variables other to students' grades that also affect this phenomenon. The objective was to correlate personality traits with the academic performance of students in a higher education institution. This is a quantitative, correlational research, with a final sample of 214 students. Results confirmed that there is a positive correlation between those variables. Personality traits of abstractedness and perfectionism correlate with academic performance. Results show that perfectionism and abstractedness traits and sex, affect academic performance. It is still important to notice that there are other factors (beyond the scope of this research) that could possibly have a significant impact on academic performance.

Factors associated with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among medical students in Cameroon: a web-based cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental disorder that is associated with poor productivity, with a significant impact on the quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

To determine factors associated with symptoms of ADHD among medical students in Cameroon.

DESIGN

A web-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Participants were recruited through a social media platform, WhatsApp, from 24 June to 2 September 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical students aged 18 years and older from seven medical schools in Cameroon. All non-medical students and all medical residents were excluded.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 491 eligible participants were analysed. The median age was 25 (IQR 21-25) years and 54% were of the participants were female. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of ADHD was 24.4% (95% CI 20.6% to 28.3%). Histories of chronic disease (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.96; 95% CI 1.49 to 5.86, p=0.002), family history of ADHD (AOR 3.38; 95% CI 1.04 to 10.44, p=0.035), severe depression (AOR=3.49; 95% CI 1.82 to 6.77, p<0.001) and anxiety disorder (AOR 2.06; 95% CI 1.25 to 3.36, p=0.004) were found to be independently associated with the symptoms of ADHD.

CONCLUSION

ADHD may be a highly prevalent mental disorder among medical students, and is associated with severe depression, anxiety disorders and chronic diseases. There is a need to conduct a large-scale prospective cohort study with interviews to estimate the true prevalence and incidence of ADHD among medical students in Cameroon, and to determinant the risk factors associated with the disorder.

Eating Disorders Impact on Vigilance and Decision Making of a Community Sample of Treatment Naive Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Young Adults

Although impulsivity is suggested as a possible link to explain the association of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with an Eating Disorder (ED), there is little research on how clinical and cognitive/neuropsychological functioning might change when this comorbidity occurs. ADHD individuals are at a higher of developing ED and also obesity. Some research has described the impact of ADHD in clinical treatment-seeking samples of ED patients. Consequently, we investigated how ED impacted on clinical and cognitive variables of a community sample of treatment-naive ADHD individuals. Ninety college students arranged in three groups (ADHD+ED, ADHD only and Controls) were analyzed using semi-structured interviews for ADHD (K-SADS), the Iowa Gambling Task, the Conner's Continuous Performance Test, Digit and Visual span, as well as rating scales for anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI) and impulsivity (BIS-11), and binge eating (BES). We found that ADHD+ED individuals significantly differed from both groups, presenting with a higher body mass index; more hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms; higher binge eating scores; more omission errors on the Continuous Performance Test; disadvantageous choices on the Iowa Gambling Task. Also, we demonstrated through a moderation/mediation analysis that a greater level of binge eating mediated the increases in body mass index on our sample. There were no significant paths to explain binge-eating severity through changes on any of the neuropsychological tests used. The presence of an ED in normal weight in a community sample of ADHD individuals is associated with higher body mass index and a worse cognitive functioning.