Work

Improved but Still Impaired

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore correspondences between the trajectories of symptoms and impairments in youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being treated by in primary care settings. METHODS: Parents of youth (n = 1976) rated their child's symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, and impairment across a variety of domains. Multilevel models were estimated to characterize the trajectories of symptoms and impairment and to determine whether changes in symptom dimension trajectories corresponded to changes in impairment trajectories over time. RESULTS: Results indicated that symptom dimensions initially improved, then leveled off, and then decreased minimally. However, impairment domains remained largely stable (i.e., neither improved nor worsened). Improvement in inattention symptoms were associated with improved ratings of writing impairment, and improved ratings of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were associated with improved relationship with peers. CONCLUSIONS: Youths with ADHD who are treated by their community pediatrician tend to initially improve in their symptom presentation, although this symptom reduction plateaus and is not associated with corresponding improvements in most areas of impairment.

Source: Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000124

Authors: Briannon C. O'Connor, Annie A. Garner, James L. Peugh, John Simon, Jeffery N. Epstein

Institutions: New York University, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Public Health Service, National Institute of Mental Health