Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

I Arican,K Neelam,A Mcquillin,G Giaroli,N Bass,K Wolfe

doi:10.1111/acps.12948

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of childhood and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a cohort of patients with schizophrenia (SCZ).MethodsA systematic review was conducted to evaluate existing evidence. Two self‐report questionnaires were used to investigate adult ADHD and childhood ADHD symptoms in 126 patients with ICD‐10 diagnoses of SCZ.ResultsFive studies were included in the systematic review, with the prevalence of childhood and adult ADHD in SCZ subjects ranging between 17–57% and 10–47% respectively. Within our cohort, 47% of patients reported positive screening for ADHD symptoms either in childhood or adulthood. 23% reported symptomatology consistent with both childhood and adult ADHD.ConclusionsWe demonstrate a greater presence of ADHD symptomatology in SCZ compared to that reported for ADHD in the general population. Our findings highlight the importance of improved clinical assessment and treatment considerations in a subgroup of patients with SCZ.

Highlights

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are both neurodevelopmental disorders
We systematically reviewed the literature relating to the prevalence of childhood ADHD and the persistence in adulthood of the condition (c+adult ADHD symptoms (aADHD)) in patients with SCZ using the PRISMA criteria [21]
The studies varied in the ascertainment method of schizophrenia patients

Summary

Introduction

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are both neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD is a behavioural disorder characterised by pervasive and impairing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity before the age of 12 [7]. The prevalence in children aged 18 or younger is estimated to be 5.29% [8], with a maleto-female ratio of 4 : 1 in the general population [9]. Diagnostic follow-up studies have confirmed ADHD can persist into adulthood with an estimated prevalence of 2.5% in the adult population [10]. The symptoms of ADHD in childhood and their persistence into adulthood have been reported to be 10.1% and 4.6%, respectively, in a general adult population [11]

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Results

Conclusion