Healthcare Utilization and Morbidity among Adolescents with ADHD in Children Aged 11-17 Years, NHIS, 2017

Abstract

Purpose. Children with ADHD have known behaviors of hyperactivity and impulsivity which may result in adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of serious adverse outcomes (emergency department visits within the previous year) in preadolescents and adolescents with ADHD as compared with preadolescents and adolescents without ADHD. Method. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2017 data concerning 2,965 children (>11 to 17 years). The NHIS data resulted from face-to-face interviews of a household member selected from a multistage area probability design representing households in the US. Data analyses for this study included Chi-square bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses. Results. There were 13.2% of children in the sample who had ADHD. Children with ADHD were more likely to be male and non-Hispanic white. They were also more likely to have one or more additional disease or condition excluding ADHD. In adjusted logistic regression analysis on emergency department utilization by ADHD status, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.93 (95%CI: 1.35, 2.74; p = 0.0003) for preadolescents and adolescents with ADHD as compared with preadolescents and adolescents without ADHD. Conclusion. Children with ADHD were more likely to have emergency department utilization than children without ADHD. Preventive medical visits were similar between preadolescent and adolescent children with and without ADHD. Characteristics associated with ADHD may explain the increased need for emergent care. Developing interventions for children with ADHD may decrease emergency department utilization.