ADHD correlates, comorbidity, and impairment in community and treated samples of children and adolescents

J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2007 Dec;35(6):883-98. doi: 10.1007/s10802-007-9141-4.

Abstract

Patterns of correlates, comorbidity and impairment associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and youth were examined in representative samples from the community and from treatment facilities serving medically indigent youth in Puerto Rico. Information from caretakers and youths was obtained using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, (version IV), measures of global impairment, and a battery of potential correlates. In the community (N = 1,896) and the treated samples (N = 763), 7.5 and 26.2% of the children, respectively, met criteria for DSM-IV ADHD in the previous year. Although the prevalence rates and degree of impairment differed, the general patterns of correlates, comorbidity and impairment were similar in both populations. The exceptions were associated with conduct disorder, anxiety, impairment in the ADHD comorbid group, and age factors that appeared to be related to selection into treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Age Factors
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Parents / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Puerto Rico / epidemiology
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors