Comorbidity and continuity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from childhood to adolescence in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine clinical outcomes, psychiatric comorbidity and neuropsychological characteristics in Turkish adolescents with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in childhood. A total of 45 children with ADHD diagnosis and 28 children with a psychiatric diagnosis other than ADHD in a 1-year cohort of 7-10-year-olds were reevaluated 6 years later using Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime version and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and Stroop Test TBAG version. This study shows that the clinical outcomes and the comorbidity patterns for ADHD from childhood to adolescence in Turkey are similar to reported rates in the Western countries. In the ADHD group, 75.6 % still has impairing ADHD symptoms and 46.6 % has comorbid psychiatric disorders. The main difference is anxiety disorders being the most common comorbid disorders (37.8 %) in Turkish ADHD youth. These findings stress the high comorbidity associated with ADHD and support the importance of assessment and treatment for ADHD and comorbidities during adolescence.

A 4-Year Follow-Up Study of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms, Comorbidities, and Psychostimulant Use in a Brazilian Sample of Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Four years later, the comorbidity rate was 75%. This rate was higher than those found in other studies: 46.4% ( 49 ), 46.6% ( 35 ), and 50% ( 13 ). Such differences could perhaps be explained by sample characteristics because in this study the patients were selected from a center specialized in ADHD treatment, a reference in the area, thus potentially composed of patients with more severe forms of the illness and more thus more likely to seek treatment.…”

“…However, almost all of these studies were conducted in clinical samples in North America. Culture can affect different aspects of development, such as language development, behavioral expectations, parental tolerance for non-compliant behaviors, emotional regulation, binding styles, identity formation, motivation, and other aspects of parenting and early childhood education ( 35 ). Therefore, the diagnosis of ADHD and its evolution may be affected by cultural factors.…”

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Enuresis co-occurrence in the pediatric population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The reason for this observation may be attributed to the fact that more complex and resistant cases are usually referred to tertiary centers (Abd-Elmoneim et al, 2020;Baeyens, Roeyers, D'Haese, et al, 2007) Cohort studies allowed a more precise overview of age effects in concomitant enuresis and ADHD, and support findings of the cross sectional and case control designs (Baeyens, Roeyers, Van Erdeghem, et al, 2007;Cak et al, 2013;Mellon et al, 2013). In spite of that, further cohort studies are required in order to provide more robust evidence, since included studies present limitations such as small samples, heterogeneous control groups and low follow up time (Baeyens, Roeyers, Van Erdeghem, et al, 2007;Cak et al, 2013). One of the reviewed papers, in spite of being a population-based study, was probably not representative of the general population, since the sample included only children from a mainly white, middle class community, which may limit inferences to other populations (Mellon et al, 2013).…”

“…Three case controls, one cross sectional study and three cohort studies found significant age differences between the analyzed groups (Abd-Elmoneim et al, 2020;Baeyens, Roeyers, D'Haese, et al, 2007;Baeyens, Roeyers, Van Erdeghem, et al, 2007;Cak et al, 2013;Khazaie et al, 2018;Mellon et al, 2013;Robson et al, 1997).…”

Relationship between ADHD Markers and Self-Perceived Stress: Influences on Academic Performance in Preadolescents

“…Thus we find comorbidity with other disorders and/or impairments, such as substance abuse and Behavior Disorders, along with academic difficulties (Brown, 2005;Cak, Dinc, Tuzun, Evinc, Cop, Cuhadaroglu Cetin, 2013). In this regard, starting school and the ongoing process as a student are usually stressful events, putting students with ADHD in a vulnerable position for experiencing stress.…”