Effect of Impairment on the Prevalence and Comorbidities of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a National Survey: Nation-Wide Prevalence and Comorbidities of ADHD
Eyüp Sabri Ercan, Gül Ünsel‐Bolat, Ali Evren Tufan, Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya, Öznur Bılaç, Goncagul Celik, Birim Günay Kılıç, Ülkü Akyol Ardıç, Şermin Yalın Sapmaz, Hatice Aksu, Ayşegül Yolga Tahiroğlu, Gül Karaçetin, Ümit Tural, Evrim Aktepe, Ayşe Rodopman Arman, Senem Başgül, Murat Coşkun, Onur Burak Dursun, İbrahim Durukan, Neşe Perdahlı Fiş, Salih Gençoğlan, Cem Gökçen, Emel Sarı Gökten, İşık Görker, Vahdet Görmez, Özlem Yıldız Gündoğdu, Selma Tural Hesapçıoğlu, Hasan Kandemır, Tuba Mutluer, Serhat Nasıroğlu, Özlem Özcan, Nilfer Şahın, Fevziye Toros, İpek Perçinel Yazıcı, Kemal Utku Yazıcı, Yasemin Yulaf, Tuğba Yüksel, Ayhan Bi̇lgi̇ç, Hatice Altun, Devrim Akdemir, Betül Mazlum, Nursu Çakın Memik, Dilşad Foto Özdemir, Özden Şükran Üneri, Fatih Ünal
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and comorbidities of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by evaluating a large-scale nation-wide sample of children. METHOD: The inclusion criterion was being enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-grade student. A semi-structured diagnostic interview (K-SADS-PL), DSM-IV-Based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders, and assessment of impairment (by both parents and teachers) were applied to 5,842 participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of ADHD was 19.5% without impairment and 12.4% with impairment. Both ADHD with and without impairment groups had similar psychiatric comorbidity rates except for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) diagnoses. Impairment in the ADHD group resulted in significantly higher ODD and CD diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Even when impairment is not described, other psychiatric disorders accompany the diagnosis of ADHD and may cause impairment in the future. Impairment in the diagnosis of ADHD significantly increases the likelihood of ODD and CD.