Do attention deficits influence IQ assessment in children and adolescents with ADHD?
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the relationship between IQ and attention deficits in children with ADHD and to estimate the inattention-related mean influence on IQ when children are tested before stimulant drug treatment has been initiated.


METHODS
Studies of various methodologies are reviewed.


RESULTS
Correlation studies show mostly weak associations between IQ scores and attention deficits. Meta-analyses report the average short-term stimulant treatment effect on IQ in children with ADHD to be 2 to 7 IQ points.


CONCLUSIONS
The associations between IQ and attention deficits in ADHD are generally modest, with the mean influence on IQ probably amounting to 2 to 5 IQ points. This may serve as a benchmark when clinicians interpret the validity of IQ in this clinical population.
Jepsen
Jens Richardt M
JR
Copenhagen University Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center Bispebebjerg, Copenhagen NV, Denmark. jrj01@bbh.regionh.dk
Fagerlund
Birgitte
B
Mortensen
Erik Lykke
EL
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants