1092 – Cortisol awakening response (CAR) and gender differences in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract Background Studies on gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidities in the Asian populations have been limited and previous studies have shown inconclusive findings. Singapore is a city-state country in Southeast Asia with a population of 5.7 million. This study examined gender differences in internalizing and externalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with ADHD. The plausible social factors underlying the gender differences were discussed. Methods A total of 773 participants (aged 6 to 18, 88% males) newly diagnosed with ADHD were recruited from the largest public child and adolescent psychiatric center in Singapore. Their internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form by parents and teachers respectively. Demographics and relevant social factors were collected using parent questionnaires. Results Females with ADHD were reported to have less delinquent and aggressive behavior but more depressive symptoms than their male counterparts, similar to findings in the Western literature. Gender remained a significant predictor of externalizing problem after controlling for other factors. Lower socioeconomic status and parental use of physical punishment were significant predictors of both internalizing and externalizing problems. Conclusions Gender differences in ADHD comorbidities do exist in the Asian clinical population. The lack of externalizing symptoms in females with ADHD has made timely referral and diagnosis challenging. More research is needed in understanding the gender differences in ADHD and the biopsychosocial mechanism underlying the differences in order to improve the detection of ADHD in females.

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Gender differences in externalizing and internalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47463/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tsz Wing Ivy Lau ◽

Choon Guan Lim ◽

Sanchalika Acharryya ◽

Nikki Lim-Ashworth ◽

Yi Ren Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Social Factors ◽

Externalizing Problems ◽

Physical Punishment ◽

Internalizing And Externalizing Problems ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Internalizing And Externalizing

Abstract Background: Studies on gender differences in attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidities in the Asian populations have been limited and previous studies have shown inconclusive findings. Singapore is a city-state country in Southeast Asia with a population of 5.7 million. This study examined gender differences in internalizing and externalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with ADHD. The plausible social factors underlying the gender differences were discussed.Methods: A total of 773 participants (aged 6 to 18, 88% males) newly diagnosed with ADHD were recruited from the largest public child and adolescent psychiatric center in Singapore. Their internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form by parents and teachers respectively. Demographics and relevant social factors were collected using parent questionnaires.Results: Females with ADHD were reported to have less delinquent and aggressive behavior but more depressive symptoms than their male counterparts, similar to findings in the Western literature. Older age, lower socioeconomic status and parental use of physical punishment were associated with higher internalizing and externalizing problems after controlling for other factors.Conclusions: Gender differences in ADHD comorbidities do exist in the Asian clinical population. The lack of externalizing symptoms in females with ADHD has made timely referral and diagnosis challenging. More research is needed in understanding the gender differences in ADHD and the biopsychosocial mechanism underlying the differences in order to improve the detection of ADHD in females.

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Gender Differences in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry ◽

10.4088/jcp.14m09630 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 77 (04) ◽

pp. e421-e428 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Samuele Cortese ◽

Stephen V. Faraone ◽

Silvia Bernardi ◽

Shuai Wang ◽

Carlos Blanco

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Gender Differences in 2 Clinical Trials of Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry ◽

10.4088/jcp.v69n0207 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 213-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Reid J. Robison ◽

Frederick W. Reimherr ◽

Barrie K. Marchant ◽

Stephen V. Faraone ◽

Lenard A. Adler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Gender Differences in Neuropsychological Functioning of New Zealand Adolescents with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

International Journal of Disability Development and Education ◽

10.1080/10349120600577402 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 47-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Julia J. Rucklidge

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

New Zealand ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Neuropsychological Functioning ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Investigating gender-specific effects of familial risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders in the Swedish population

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2020.47 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Joanna Martin ◽

Laura Ghirardi ◽

Qi Chen ◽

Catharina A. Hartman ◽

Mina A. Rosenqvist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Eating Disorders ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Familial Risk ◽

Female Patients ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Genetic Risks ◽

Gender Specific

Background Many psychiatric disorders show gender differences in prevalence. Recent studies suggest that female patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression carry more genetic risks related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with affected males. Aims In this register-based study, we aimed to test whether female patients who received clinical diagnoses of anxiety, depressive, bipolar and eating disorders are at higher familial risk for ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, compared with diagnosed male patients. Method We analysed data from a record-linkage of several Swedish national registers, including 151 025 sibling pairs from 103 941 unique index individuals diagnosed with anxiety, depressive, bipolar or eating disorders, as well as data from 646 948 cousin pairs. We compared the likelihood of having a relative diagnosed with ADHD/neurodevelopmental disorders in index males and females. Results Female patients with anxiety disorders were more likely than affected males to have a brother with ADHD (odd ratio (OR) = 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.22). Results for broader neurodevelopmental disorders were similar and were driven by ADHD diagnoses. Follow-up analyses revealed similar point estimates for several categories of anxiety disorders, with the strongest effect observed for agoraphobia (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.12–2.39). No significant associations were found in individuals with depressive, bipolar or eating disorders, or in cousins. Conclusions These results provide modest support for the possibility that familial/genetic risks for ADHD may show gender-specific phenotypic expression. Alternatively, there could be gender-specific biases in diagnoses of anxiety and ADHD. These factors could play a small role in the observed gender differences in prevalence of ADHD and anxiety.

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