Decline in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life course in the general population: trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trajectories of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits spanning early childhood to mid-life have not been described in general populations across different geographical contexts. Population trajectories are crucial to better understanding typical developmental patterns. METHODS: We combined repeated assessments of ADHD traits from five population-based cohorts, spanning ages 3 to 45 years. We used two measures: (i) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactive-inattentive subscale (175 831 observations, 29 519 individuals); and (ii) scores from DSM-referenced scales (118 144 observations, 28 685 individuals). Multilevel linear spline models allowed for non-linear change over time and differences between cohorts and raters (parent/teacher/self). RESULTS: Patterns of age-related change differed by measure, cohort and country: overall, SDQ scores decreased with age, most rapidly declining before age 8 years (-0.157, 95% CI: -0.170, -0.144 per year). The pattern was generally consistent using DSM scores, although with greater between-cohort variation. DSM scores decreased most rapidly between ages 14 and 17 years (-1.32%, 95% CI: -1.471, -1.170 per year). Average scores were consistently lower for females than males (SDQ: -0.818, 95% CI: -0.856, -0.780; DSM: -4.934%, 95% CI: -5.378, -4.489). This sex difference decreased over age for both measures, due to an overall steeper decrease for males. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD trait scores declined from childhood to mid-life, with marked variation between cohorts. Our results highlight the importance of taking a developmental perspective when considering typical population traits. When interpreting changes in clinical cohorts, it is important to consider the pattern of expected change within the general population, which is influenced by cultural context and measurement.
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac049
Authors: Robyn E Wootton, Lucy Riglin, Rachel Blakey, Jessica Agnew-Blais, Arthur Caye, Tim Cadman, Alexandra Havdahl, Helen Gonçalves, Ana M B Menezes, Fernando C Wehrmeister, Kaili Rimfeld, George Davey Smith, Thalia C Eley, Luis Augusto Rohde, Louise Arseneault, Terrie E Moffitt, Evie Stergiakouli, Anita Thapar, Kate Tilling
Institutions: University of Bristol, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus, MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Cardiff University, Queen Mary University of London, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, University of Oslo, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, King's College London, Royal Holloway University of London, Duke University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,879
Funders: Wellcome Trust, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, European Commission, University of Bristol, Ministry of Health, New Zealand, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Jacobs Foundation, Ministério da Saúde, Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva, National Institutes of Health, Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Helse Sør-Øst RHF, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: G1049901796, G1182606701, G1289651063, Neurodevelopmental disorders: what happens when children grow up and why?, G1660964343, G1684393010, G1748805038, G1792944704, G1793884970, ALSPAC: consolidation of a two generation cell line backed resource, for the study of the environment and genetic determinants of health and development from before birth to late puberty., G1924190148, G2039281854, G2179969359, G2190462495, G2462977380, G2496263360, G2538597952, G2548308182, G2572253437, G2614905598, G2761558319, G2949758324, G3359668359, Neurodevelopmental disorders: what happens when children grow up and why?, Persisting Effects of Prenatal Anxiety on Child Outcomes, G3572570657, The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC): A multi- generation, longitudinal resource focusing on life course health and well- being., G3691419938, G3773351787, Neuropsychological and genomic signatures of violence exposure in childhood, G3915381216, G3957671202, G3964375220, G3987754321, G4036427723, G412938763, G4154018034, TEDS 26: A longitudinal genetic approach to understanding the development and intergenerational transmission of common mental health conditions, G4558443914, G4582896483, G4883962940, G4907327099, G5270391604, G5313676757, Statistical Methods for Improving Causal Analyses, G5701737369, G6036406809, Colorado Adoption Project/Twin Study of Lifespan behavioral development & cognitive aging [CATSLife2], G6045795056, G6050707053, G639361102, G6508800957, G6637449936, G6790941097, Mendelian randomization to hypothesis-free causal inference, Mental Health Leadership Fellow - The impact of social relationships in the 21st century on mental health and wellbeing, Midlife Pace of Aging in the Dunedin Study, G7612039688, G7642225605, G792825315, The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC): A multi-generation, longitudinal resource focusing on life course health and well-being., G8222903824, G8502142660, G8592490562, G8658852833, G8733494055, G8877605831, G8968736666, G9000059956, Aging in 1000 healthy midlife adults: Phase 52 of the Dunedin Study
OpenAlex ID: W4223631522