Characteristics of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and past conduct disorder.
OBJECTIVE
DSM-IV Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid with DSM-IV conduct disorder (CD) in childhood/adolescence has been proposed as a 'distinct subtype'. The present study investigated subsequent psychopathological characteristics of this proposed subtype in adults.


METHODS
Questionnaires were completed by 71 adults (mean age 29.6 years) with ADHD and their informants.


RESULTS
The 39 subjects with a history of past CD, when compared with the remaining subjects, were associated with significantly increased ratings of aspects of ADHD-related impulsivity, with features of all three DSM-IV 'Clusters' of personality disorders (PDs) (in particular of 'Cluster B' PDs) and with other psychopathology. Also, there were significant correlations between the number of endorsed past CD criteria and various self-ratings of psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the psychopathological characteristics of adults with a history of the proposed 'ADHD with CD' subtype. The findings are relevant to future studies of ADHD subtypes in adults.
Dowson
J H
JH
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. jhd1000@cam.ac.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires