A meta-analysis of the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders and their association with disease onset in myotonic dystrophy.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a RASopathy, a group of genetic disorders caused by alterations in the RAS/MAPK signalling pathway, and is associated with brain-related disorders, including intellectual developmental disorder (IDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, and depression and anxiety. However, estimates of prior prevalence vary widely. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of brain-related disorders (i.e., IDD, ASD, ADHD, epilepsy, and depression and anxiety) in NS. A systematic search of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to July 2025. Studies that estimated the prevalence of IDD, ASD, ADHD, epilepsy, and depression and anxiety in the population with NS were included. Genotype was considered when possible. Random-effects meta-analyses of prevalence, expressed as proportions (0-1) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were performed. Twenty-one studies were included in the systematic review, while 20 were included in the meta-analysis. The IDD prevalence was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.35), the ASD prevalence was 0.11 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.17); the ADHD prevalence was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.41); the epilepsy prevalence was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.15) and the depression and anxiety prevalence was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.39). There was hardly any genotype-specific data, particularly for minor mutations. NS is strongly associated with brain-related disorders, which reinforces the need for early and periodic screening in this population. Furthermore, genotype-phenotype correlation studies are required, as there is currently little evidence in this area. What is Known: • Noonan syndrome is a RASopathy characterised by short stature, heart disease and brain-related disorders. • Brain-related disorders include intellectual developmental disorder (IDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others. What is New: • IDD, ASD and ADHD were estimated to affect 23%, 11% and 31% of individuals, respectively. This is higher than the prevalence in the general population. • The prevalence of seizure disorders and emotional disorders was also high, although the evidence was more limited.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and related co-occurring conditions in Faroese children and examine differences regarding sex and age at diagnosis. It is hypothesised that prevalences are increasing, are higher in boys compared to girls, that girls are diagnosed later than boys, and that stress-related mental health conditions are related to higher age at diagnosis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted with children born from 2004 to 2022, using health register data on patients diagnosed with ASD or ADHD at the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands. A total of 479 children were included in the study. Prevalence rates were calculated alongside age- and sex-standardised measures, including the mean age at diagnosis and the frequency of co-occurring conditions, with all estimates including 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Prevalence of ASD was 2.7% (95% CI: 2.4–3.0), with a higher prevalence among boys (3.4%, 95% CI: 2.9–3.9) compared to girls (2.0%, 95% CI: 1.6–2.4). Prevalence of ADHD was 2.9% (95% CI: 2.6–3.3), higher in boys (3.8%, 95% CI: 3.3–4.4) than in girls (2.0%, 95% CI: 1.6–2.4). Girls received diagnoses of ASD and ADHD at later ages—on average, 12.7 years for ASD, 11.9 years for ADHD, compared to 9.5 and 10.8 years, respectively, for boys. The mean ages at diagnosis were 14.2 years for ASD and 12.3 years for ADHD for those children who also presented with stress-related mental health conditions. Children without these conditions were diagnosed at mean ages of 9.4 and 10.3 years, respectively. Conclusion Childhood ASD and ADHD prevalence in the Faroe Islands was 2.7% and 2.9%, with sex distributions consistent with international patterns and frequent co-occurring conditions. Differences in diagnostic age linked to stress-related mental health conditions were observed, though these findings require cautious interpretation. Earlier identification may facilitate timelier intervention and reduce subsequent mental health risks.

This study aims to systematically analyze the disease burden of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 0-14 years, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. By examining their temporal trends, regional distributions, and demographic differences, the study seeks to elucidate the epidemiological similarities and differences between the two disorders, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. This study, based on GBD 2021 data, analyzed the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of ASD and ADHD globally from 1990 to 2021. The research employed age-standardized rates (ASR) to eliminate the influence of population age structure and explored the contributions of epidemiological changes, including population size, aging, as well as disease incidence, prevalence, mortality, and risk factors, to DALY through decomposition analysis. Additionally, the study performed an analysis of health inequalities, conducted a frontier analysis, and predicted future trends utilizing the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model. In 2021, the prevalence of ASD among the global population aged 0-14 years was 857.14 cases per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 723.16-1009.04), while the prevalence of ADHD was 1,661.61 cases per 100,000 individuals (95% UI: 1,128.43-2,414.83). Within this age group, the DALY for ASD were 3,318,058 (95% UI: 2,248,324-4,668,010), compared to 410,705 (95% UI: 209,548-714,682) for ADHD. The DALY burden for ASD was higher than that for ADHD. These two disorders exhibit differences in gender and age distribution, with higher incidence rates and DALY values observed in males. Projections indicate that from 2021 to 2050, the DALY for both ASD and ADHD in the 0-14 age group are expected to show an upward trend.

To assess the effect on prevalence estimates of using different algorithms to identify children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in healthcare data. Three algorithms were developed and run on administrative/research data in Finland, France (Haute Garonne), Italy (Emilia Romagna), Norway and Wales: (1) ≥ 1 ADHD or ASD diagnoses recorded in specialist settings, (2) ≥ 2 ADHD or ASD diagnoses recorded in primary care and (3) ≥ 1 prescription for medication to manage ADHD. Prevalence rates per 1000 children for each algorithm were calculated. 3,130,162 children (born 1996-2020) with 29,291,204years of follow-up were included. ADHD prevalence per 1000 children in specialist settings ranged from 3.9 (Emilia Romagna) to 24.1 (Finland); and was 7.0 in primary care (Finland). Based on prescriptions, ADHD prevalence ranged from 0.1 (Emilia Romagna) to 9.9 (Haute Garonne). ASD prevalence in specialist settings ranged from 5.6 (Wales) to 9.7 (Finland), and in primary care from 1.0 (Finland) to 2.0 (Wales). Prevalence of ADHD and ASD was greater among children with longer follow-up. In Finland and Wales, 1.7% and 19.4% of children were diagnosed with ASD in primary care only respectively. The male:female ratio was 3-4:1. Whilst there was considerable geographical variation in the length of follow-up available, and prevalence of ADHD and ASD, specialist diagnoses recorded in healthcare data were key to identifying children with these disorders. These data sources can be complemented by using primary care diagnoses and prescription data to identify affected children more comprehensively.

Objective — This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among older adults in Tabriz, northwestern Iran. Material and Methods — This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on 1,043 older adults in Tabriz, Iran, using two-stage cluster sampling. Clinical interviews were conducted with all selected study participants in accordance with the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS). The socioeconomic status of the participants was assessed using the ultra-short version of the socioeconomic status scale (SES). Statistical analysis was performed via the chi-squared test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results — A total of 41 (3.93%) participants were diagnosed with ADHD, of whom 3.74% were women and 4.13% were men. With respect to socioeconomic status, the prevalence of ADHD was 5.29% among participants with low socioeconomic status, 3.65% among those with medium socioeconomic status, and 5.08% among those with partially high socioeconomic status. No association was found between the prevalence of ADHD and age, gender, or socioeconomic status in older adults. Conclusion — The prevalence of adult ADHD among older adults in Tabriz was 3.9%. The prevalence of ADHD in older adults was not associated with their gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to improve the accuracy of the study.

Aims1.Literature survey on ADHD in Down’s syndrome2.To evaluate the prevalence of Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD ) and Autism in Down’s Syndrome using Light House Child development center Down’s Syndrome...

Despite the increasing amount of data showing the presence of high association between gender dysphoria (GD) and autism spectrum disorders, less is known on the association between GD and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical features of ADHD in a group of adults with a primary diagnosis of GD. A sample of 81 consecutive adults newly diagnosed with GD were assessed using standardized self-report measures evaluating GD severity, mood and anxiety symptoms, and ADHD. GD participants with associated ADHD were compared to participants without ADHD regarding gender dysphoria symptoms, mood and anxiety symptoms, and functional impairment. We found a 33.3% prevalence of ADHD among GD individuals. Those with GD and ADHD had a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of psychiatric co-occurrence-particularly borderline personality disorder and cannabis use disorder- along with greater mood (U = 3.805, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (U = 3.717, p < .001), and more severe functional impairment (U = -3.233, p = .001) compared with GD individuals without ADHD. No group differences emerged in GD symptom severity. Findings indicate that GD individuals show high prevalence of ADHD and that individuals with both GD and ADHD appear to represent a more complex subpopulation with heightened depressive and anxiety symptoms and increased functional impairment. These results underscore that the presence of ADHD is frequent and appears to exert an important clinical impact on individuals with GD; therefore, ADHD should be routinely screened for in this population.

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its relation to lifestyle in female college students. A total of 375 female college students (19.2±1.3years) among 439 students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we measured the prevalence of ADHD using the ADHD Self-Report Scale-v1.1 (ASRS) and the prevalence of ASD using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). In addition, lifestyle choices such as medications, physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and sleeping habits were also evaluated. The suspected prevalence of ADHD was 102 students (27.2%) and the suspected prevalence of ASD was 4 students (1.1%). Only one student (0.3%) was thought to have both ADHD and ASD. Subjects with suspected ADHD had higher AQ scores compared with those without suspected ADHD. There were no unhealthy lifestyle choices in subjects with suspected ADHD and/or ASD. The prevalence of suspected ADHD and/or ASD may be relatively high even among female college students in Japan.

Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder among children, often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities. In Bangladesh, limited research has explored the prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities, particularly in urban school-aged children, and how social determinants such as socioeconomic status and parental education influence these outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities among urban school-aged children in Bangladesh and to explore the impact of sociodemographic factors, including gender, age, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024, involving 160 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with ADHD from urban schools in Khulna and Jashore. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and medical records. The study evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of ADHD with comorbidities, and associations between ADHD prevalence and social determinants using chi-square tests for statistical significance. Results: ADHD-only cases comprised 56.3% of the sample, while 43.7% had comorbid conditions, including anxiety (18.8%), depression (12.5%), and learning disabilities (6.3%). Males had a higher prevalence of ADHD only (68.4%), while females exhibited more comorbidities (p = 0.001). Socioeconomic status significantly influenced comorbidities (p = 0.031), with children from lower-income families showing higher rates. Parental education was also associated with ADHD comorbidities, particularly in children of less-educated parents (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The study highlights a significant burden of ADHD and comorbidities among urban school-aged children in Bangladesh, particularly among females and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Addressing these disparities requires tailored interventions, focusing on early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment strategies.

Epilepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were reported to co-occur at rates higher than expected for coincidental findings. This study investigated the prevalence of both disorders in community-based primary care practice. The central database of the second-largest health maintenance organization in Israel was searched for all children aged 6 to 13 years (n = 284 419; 51.5% males) diagnosed as having ADHD according to the physicians' records and/or the filling of at least 10 prescriptions for antiepileptic medications according to pharmacy records. The prevalence of epilepsy in the total population was 5 out of 1000 children, and the prevalence of ADHD was 12.6%. More than one-fourth (27.7%) of the epileptic children were also diagnosed as having ADHD. On multivariate analysis, children with ADHD had almost twice the risk of epilepsy than children without ADHD. This study supports hospital-based findings of a strong interrelationship between ADHD and epilepsy. The high rate of ADHD in Israeli children warrants further investigation.

BackgroundConcerning the changes in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we estimate the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disorder (ID), and learning disability (LD) among US children and adolescents aged 3–17 years in 2019 and 2020.MethodsThe study includes 14,983 US children and adolescents aged 3–17 years in 2019 and 2020 from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Parents were interviewed about whether their children ever and/or currently had NDDs diagnosed. Prevalence estimates of NDDs were calculated with a survey-based weighting scheme. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between NDDs prevalence and subgroups.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was 8.5% (95% CI: 7.9–9.2%), 2.9% (95% CI: 2.6–3.4%), 1.4% (95% CI: 1.2–1.7%), and 6.4% (95% CI: 5.8–7.0%), respectively. A higher prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was observed in boys, those who ever had anxiety or depression symptoms, those with lower family income, those living in a rented house, ever been bullied, and ever lived with anyone mentally ill.ConclusionThe study found the prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was different by demographics, comorbidity/mental problems, household/parental characteristics, and stressful life events.

AimsFunctional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) affect motor or sensory functions without a detectable underlying disease. FNDs encompass a range of presentations including non-epileptic seizures, cognitive changes, weakness, and sensory symptoms. The prevalence of FND as a diagnosis is increasing rapidly. Following our clinical observations of a high prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in people referred with a previous diagnosis of FND to our tertiary Neuropsychiatry pilot service in Derbyshire, we conducted an integrative literature review with the aim to investigate the prevalence of ADHD in people diagnosed with FND.MethodsWe conducted an integrative literature review using a systematic approach. A literature search was performed on two databases, PubMed and ScienceDirect. The keywords ‘Functional Neurological Disorder’, ‘Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’, ‘Non-Epileptic Seizures’, ‘Functional’ were used. Databases were searched for initial search on 31 November 2023 and the search was repeated on 31 January 2024. Only articles in English language were included. Studies were eligible if reporting the prevalence of ADHD in FND populations. Studies involving adults and children were included. A further search was conducted on reference lists from the selected articles.ResultsDatabase searches on PubMed and ScienceDirect had 298 and 11,837 results, respectively. Only seven studies were identified that explored the prevalence of ADHD in individuals diagnosed with a FND and were included. In the adult population an association between a FND diagnosis, and ADHD traits identified on screening, or a final ADHD diagnosis was identified. The findings also demonstrate an increased incidence of comorbid ADHD and FND with the presence of another co-existing neurodevelopmental disorder such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Furthermore, results indicated that the prevalence of an ADHD diagnosis in children with a FND was higher compared with adults. The literature suggests that, in both adults and children with FND-related functional seizures there is an increased prevalence of comorbid ADHD.ConclusionIn conclusion, the findings from this review demonstrate a lack of evidence looking into the prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in complex presentations being labelled as Functional Neurological Disorder. However, the existing literature indicates there is an association between FND and ADHD. These findings highlight the importance of considering potential ADHD comorbidity in the assessment and management of FND, potentially informing targeted treatment approaches for affected individuals. Further research could explore the efficacy of ADHD medication and similar dopamine modulating molecules in treating sub-cohort of people with FND.

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.

This study assessed the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder among New York City adults. As part of the first community-specific Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States, depression and anxiety were assessed in a representative sample of 1,817 noninstitutionalized adults in 2004. A total of 8% had major depressive disorder and 4% had generalized anxiety disorder. Respondents with depression were more likely to be formerly married, publicly insured, younger, and U.S. born. Only 55% of adults with depression were diagnosed, and 38% of those with depression or anxiety were in treatment; individuals with a diagnosis of depression were more likely to receive treatment than those without a diagnosis (61% versus 7%; p<.001). Immigrants with depression were 60% less likely to be diagnosed than their U.S.-born counterparts; immigrants arriving in this country ten or more years ago had slightly more anxiety than immigrants arriving less than ten years ago (3% versus 2%, not significant). Among respondents with anxiety, 23% reported disability compared with 15% of those with depression. Compared with adults with neither diagnosis, adults with depression or anxiety were twice as likely to smoke tobacco (p<.05), adults with depression were twice as likely to have diabetes (p<.01), and those with anxiety were twice as likely to have asthma (p<.01). Mental disorders are often disabling and inadequately diagnosed and treated. Foreign-born adults experience barriers to diagnosis and treatment despite having less depression; anxiety may increase with time since immigration. Increased awareness of and linkage to mental health services are needed, especially in larger, more diverse urban communities.