Conduct disorder with and without mania in a referred sample of ADHD children.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that dysphoric and non-dysphoric types of CD could be distinguished from one another in their patterns of familiality, adversity, and comorbidity.


METHODS
We examined 140 ADHD and 120 normal controls at baseline and 4 years later using assessments from multiple domains. We compared ADHD subgroups with and without conduct (CD) and bipolar (BPD) disorders on psychiatric outcomes at a 4-year follow-up, familial psychopathology and psychosocial functioning.


RESULTS
We found that ADHD children with both disorders had higher familial and personal risk for mood disorders than those with CD only, who had a higher personal risk for antisocial personality disorder. Among ADHD probands, having both CD and BPD was associated with poorer functioning and an increased risk for psychiatric hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
Although preliminary, our findings suggest that the distinction between dysphoric and non-dysphoric CD may be clinically meaningful. If confirmed, our findings could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for the management of antisocial youth.
Biederman
J
J
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Faraone
S V
SV
Hatch
M
M
Mennin
D
D
Taylor
A
A
George
P
P
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors