Screening for attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology in adult mental health clinics

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Adamis ◽  
I. Graffeo ◽  
R. Kumar ◽  
D. Meagher ◽  
D. O’Neill ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study estimates the symptomatology of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult mental health services (AMHS) outpatient clinics.MethodsAll consecutive patients attending any of the outpatients’ clinics in Sligo/Leitrim AMHS were invited to participate. Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) self-report. Clinical notes were reviewed to identify those with a pre-existing ADHD diagnosis.ResultsFrom 822 attending the clinics, 62 did not meet inclusion criteria, 97 declined to participate and 29 had incomplete data in either of the screening scales, leaving 634 (77%) eligible for full study analysis. Mean age was 40.38 (s.d.: 12.85), and 326 (51.4%) were females. In total, 215 (33.9%) screened positive on the WURS for childhood onset ADHD and 219 (34.5%) participants scored positive on the ASRS. Applying a more stringent criteria of scoring above cut-offs on both scales, suggested 131 (20.7%) screened positive on both. Only three (2.3%) had a prior clinical diagnosis.ConclusionsThis preliminary study suggests the possibility of relatively higher rates of ADHD in a general AMHS than previously thought, however, given the possibility of overlapping symptoms with other major psychiatric disorders in adulthood and recall bias further research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S396-S397
Author(s):  
B. Tuzun Mutluer ◽  
T.G. Yener Orum ◽  
S. Sertcelik

ObjectiveIn this study, it was aimed to determine the internet use properties of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients who were followed-up at Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital, Psychiatry Department; ADHD Outpatient Clinic.MethodThirty participants who were diagnosed with adult ADHD aged between 18–31 years rated their ADHD symptoms in childhood retrospectively, using Wender Utah Rating Scale. Patients rated current adult ADHD symptoms with the Adult ADHD DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale (DSRS) and severity of symptoms measured by Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Internet addiction (IA) was assessed with Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). It was determined that, none of 30 Adult ADHD patients have been diagnosed with IA.29 of patient have moderate internet use although 1 of patients have risky internet use. The results revealed that total ASRS score (P = 0.020), total Adult ADHD DSM-IV-Based DSRS score (P = 0.036) and the Attention Deficit related properties subscale total score (P = 0.042) were significantly correlated with the IAS total score. Subscale of the self-report scales including; failing to finish schoolworks, chores, or duties at workplace, difficulty of following through on instructions (P = 0.017), restiveness; impaired inhibitory performance (P = 0.017), feeling not confident (P = 0.017), difficulty of managing time (P = 0.047), failing to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes (P = 0.037) are closely relevant to IAS total score.ResultIn conclusion, clinical features, which are characteristic of Adult ADHD could have same shared etiology with IA. Furthermore, ADHD patients are more likely to have an IA diagnosis. However, it was thought that this result had to be supported with studies including larger samples.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Biederman ◽  
Annika Lindsten ◽  
Lasse B Sluth ◽  
Maria Louise Petersen ◽  
Anders Ettrup ◽  
...  

Background: Stimulants remain the mainstay of treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but are often associated with insufficient response or poor tolerability, leading to many patients not wishing to be treated with controlled substances. Aims: This randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study (NCT02327013) evaluated the efficacy of a multimodal antidepressant, vortioxetine, in the treatment of ADHD, using a two-stage sequential parallel comparison design. Methods: Patients aged 18–55 years with a diagnosis of ADHD (DSM-5) and a total score ⩾24 on the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) were randomized in study stage I with a 1:1:3 ratio to six weeks of treatment with vortioxetine 10 or 20 mg/day, or placebo ( n = 227). In study stage II, placebo non-responders (AISRS total score reduction <30% from stage I baseline) were re-randomized with a 1:1:1 ratio to six weeks of vortioxetine 10 or 20 mg/day, or placebo ( n = 59). Results: Across the two study stages combined, ADHD symptoms improved by approximately eight AISRS points in all treatment groups, showing no difference from placebo for either dose of vortioxetine, the study thus failing to meet its primary endpoint. However, both doses of vortioxetine separated from placebo in improving overall patient functioning, as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale. Conclusion: Studies are warranted to further investigate this suggested benefit of a multimodal antidepressant for patient functioning in ADHD while addressing issues of non-adherence and placebo response. The study confirmed vortioxetine 10 mg and 20 mg as generally well-tolerated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Shaimaa Ezzat Basha ◽  
Futiem Nasha Alsubie

The present paper aims at determining the contribution of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) and self-esteem to predicting Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among female university students in Saudi Arabia. It examines the differences in the research variables according to academic achievement. It also identifies the correlations of these variables. The authors applied the research instruments, i.e., the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI), and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to a sample of 203 female university students aged 19-31 years (M = 23.29 years; SD= 3.74 years). The results showed no differences in the mean scores of ASRS, ACI, and negative self-esteem in the achievement levels among university students. In contrast, there was a positive direct relationship between ADHD, SCT, and negative self-esteem. SCT contributed significantly (by 40%), whereas self-esteem contributed by 6% in predicting ADHD among university students. The study highlighted the contribution of both negative self-esteem and SCT to predicting ADHD among Saudi university students to understand the nature of the disorder and its predictors. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop preventive programs for enhancing self-esteem and increasing attention among university students.   Received: 17 December 2020 / Accepted: 31 January 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-229
Author(s):  
Aparna Patel ◽  
Jalpa Parikh

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-ADHD is a developmental nervous behavioural disorder mostly diagnosed in childhood and rarely in adults. Characteristic clinical features in adults are mainly, hyperactivity, attention deficit and impulsiveness instability in interpersonal relations and alcohol abuse which can cause poor occupational, academic and social performance in future. As ADHD is usually undiagnosed in adults because of its poor knowledge of the symptoms. Need of study is to see the prevalence of ADHD among individuals, as ADHD youth are at high risk of a wide range of adverse psychiatric outcomes. Methodology: This observational study was performed in 307 young female & male of all the fields aged between 18-24, according to Newman’s classification. The subjects were screened for ADHD by Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) which has two parts- inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive. This questionnaire was sent through Google Form. Results: Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 10th version. According to ASR Scale among 307, 5.53% were highly likely to have inattentiveness and 6.64% were highly likely to have hyper activeness and impulsiveness. In 207 females 6.28%, 5.79% were highly likely to be inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and in 100 males 9%,4% were highly likely to be hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive. Conclusion: Total prevalence of Adult ADHD is 11.40%. Among all the participants, prevalence of ADHD for Part-A (Inattentive) is 5.53% and Part-B (Hyperactive/Impulsive) is 6.64%. Out of total, 0.977% got mixed symptoms of ADHD. Keywords: Young individuals, ASRS, Adult ADHD, Inattentive, Hyperactive, Impulsive.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1449-1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Young ◽  
R. A. González ◽  
L. Mutch ◽  
I. Mallet-Lambert ◽  
L. O'Rourke ◽  
...  

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is overrepresented in prison, making it imperative to identify a screening tool that can be quickly applied to efficiently detect the disorder. We explored the discrimination ability of a widely used ADHD screen, the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale (BAARS-IV), against a clinical diagnostic interview. A brief version of the screen was then developed in order to simplify its use in the prison context, and maximize its diagnostic properties.MethodA cross-sectional study of 390 male prison inmates was performed in the UK, all participants were screened and interviewed via the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults 2.0 (DIVA-2).ResultsA total of 47 (12.1%) inmates screened positive for ADHD using the full BAARS-IV, and 96 (24.6%) were clinically diagnosed, for a sensitivity of 37.9 and a specificity of 96.3. Our models identified the six items that most predicted ADHD diagnosis, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 2.66 to 4.58. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 0.82, 0.84 and 0.84, respectively, for the developed brief scale, and 0.71, 0.85 and 0.81 for its validation. Weighted probability scores produced an area under the curve of 0.89 for development, and 0.82 for validation of the brief scale.ConclusionsThe original BAARS-IV performed poorly at identifying prison inmates with ADHD. Our developed brief scale substantially improved diagnostic accuracy. The brief screening instrument has great potential to be used as an accurate and resource-effective tool to screen young people and adults for likely ADHD in the criminal justice system.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H. Dowson ◽  
A. McLean ◽  
E. Bazanis ◽  
B. Toone ◽  
S. Young ◽  
...  

AbstractCharacteristics of DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults can also be found as part of other psychiatric disorders. This study investigated the specificity of adult ADHD features in relation to patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a syndrome which shares some of its intrinsic features with ADHD and often co-occurs with ADHD. A group of 20 adult patients selected on the basis of a diagnosis of ADHD and 20 patients selected on the basis of a diagnosis of BPD were assessed by the self-report Attention Deficit Scales for Adults (ADSA). The two groups were matched for age, verbal IQ and gender. Of the nine ADSA scales, seven showed significant inter-group differences, in particular involving attention, organisation and persistence. The ‘Consistency/Long-Term’ scale, which mainly reflects impaired task and goal persistence, was the best discriminator between the groups. Furthermore, ratings on this scale correlated significantly with the error score of a computer-administered task of spatial working memory, the performance of which has been reported to be impaired in patients with ADHD. The results provide further validation for the ADSA scales and support a previous claim that ‘long-term consistencies’, i.e., related to task and goal persistence, is ‘the centrepiece behavioural issue’ for adults with ADHD.


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