Attention-deficit hyperactivity symptoms and disorder in eating disorder inpatients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and a DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis in women admitted for treatment of an eating disorder.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-nine inpatient women with an eating disorder were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and ADHD interview from the Multi-international Psychiatric Interview (MINI).


RESULTS
Twenty-one percent of the sample reported at least six current ADHD symptoms, but the estimated prevalence rate for a diagnosis of ADHD in this population was only 5.8% (95% CI: 2.6%-9.5%). Most current ADHD inattentive symptoms appeared after childhood suggesting late-onset non-ADHD origins. Current inattention symptoms in those without a diagnosis of ADHD correlated with higher BMI (p < .0001), symptoms of bulimia nervosa and current level of depression symptoms (p = .025).


CONCLUSIONS
Although current ADHD symptoms were commonly endorsed in this population, clinicians should carefully examine for childhood symptom-onset of ADHD.
Yates
William R
WR
Laureate Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. William-Yates@ouhsc.edu
Lund
Brian C
BC
Johnson
Craig
C
Mitchell
Jeff
J
McKee
Patrick
P
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult