title: Daily life impairments associated with self-reported childhood/adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and experiences of diagnosis and treatment: results from the European Lifetime Impairment Survey.
abstract: The Lifetime Impairment Survey assessed impairment and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children/adolescents from six European countries. Parents/caregivers of children/adolescents aged<20 years with ADHD (ADHD group; n = 535) and without ADHD (control group; n=424) participated in an online survey. History of ADHD diagnosis was self-reported. ADHD and control groups were compared using impairment and symptom scales; higher scores indicate greater impairment. Mean (SD) age at ADHD diagnosis was 7.0 (2.8) years, following consultation of 2.7 (2.6) doctors over 20.4 (23.9) months. Parents/caregivers (64%; 344/535) reported frustration with some aspect of the diagnostic procedure; 74% (222/298) were satisfied with their child's current medication. ADHD had a negative impact on children/adolescents in all aspects of life investigated. The ADHD group had a higher mean (SD) school impairment score (2.7 [0.7]) compared with the control group (2.1 [0.7]; P<0.001) and were more likely to be in the bottom of their class (P<0.001). These data provide insights into impairments associated with ADHD in childhood/adolescence, and identify areas for improvement in its management and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice, CHU Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France. Electronic address: caci.h@pediatrie-chulenval-nice.fr.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Caci
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doepfner
authors.affiliation: Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP), King's College, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asherson
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Department, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donfrancesco
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Faraone
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, University Hospital Mutua of Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hervas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D057566:Self Report
keywords: ADHD; Diagnosis; Functional impairment; Treatment