Coexisting psychiatric problems and stressful life events in adults with symptoms of ADHD--a large Swedish population-based study of twins.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the associations of subtypes of adult ADHD with other psychiatric problems, stressful life events, and sex differences.


METHODS
Odds ratios were calculated using information from 17,899 participants from a population-based survey of adult twins born in Sweden between 1959 and 1985.


RESULTS
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were associated with an increased risk for symptoms of (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]): generalized anxiety disorder (5.6 [4.3; 6.5]), major depression (2.8 [2.4; 3.2]), bipolar disorder (8.0 [5.1; 12.6]), obsessive-compulsive disorder (3.9 [3.1; 4.9]), and alcohol dependence (2.6 [2.2; 3.1]). Symptoms of ADHD were found to be associated with an increased risk for stressful life events (1.8 [1.3; 2.4]). No significant difference in comorbidity was observed between the two sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
Both women and men with ADHD are at increased risk for symptoms of other psychiatric disorders. They are also at increased risk for stressful life events.
Friedrichs
Bettina
B
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. bettina.friedrichs@ki.se
Igl
Wilmar
W
Larsson
Henrik
H
Larsson
Jan-Olov
JO
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012042:Registries; D012306:Risk; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013548:Sweden; D014427:Twins / Q000523:psychology*