Diagnostic comorbidity in hospitalized adolescents with conduct disorder.
We compared the diagnostic comorbidity of DSM-III-R axis I and axis II disorders in a sample of hospitalized adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) and a comparison group of hospitalized adolescents without conduct disorder (non-CD). Of 138 consecutively evaluated adolescents, 76 patients met criteria for CD and 62 did not. On axis I, CD was significantly comorbid with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUDs). None of the personality disorders assessed showed differential association with CD. The comorbid relationships found within this sample suggest a strong association between CD, ADHD, and SUD in hospitalized teenagers. This finding underscores the clinical importance of conducting a thorough developmental assessment and, when indicated, of treating ADHD and SUD in conduct-disordered adolescents.
Fehon
D C
DC
Yale Psychiatric Institute, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Becker
D F
DF
Grilo
C M
CM
Walker
M L
ML
Levy
K N
KN
Edell
W S
WS
McGlashan
T H
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015588:Observer Variation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent