Comorbidity of oppositional defiant disorder and anxiety disorders in preschoolers.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to study the comorbidity of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety disorders (AD) among preschool children of the general population, and to assess the contribution of comorbidity to the child's functional impairment.


METHODS
622 children were assessed at the ages of 3 and 5, through a diagnostic interview. They were clustered into three diagnostic groups: only ODD, only AD and comorbid ODD+AD.


RESULTS
At age 3, ODD was associated with specific phobia, OR = 4.7, 95% CI [1.4, 14.1], and at age 5, with any anxiety disorder, OR=3.9; 95% CI [1.8, 8.4]. ODD at age 3 was predictive of separation anxiety at age 5, OR=4.1; 95% CI [1.2, 14.3]. Comorbid ODD+AD cases showed a higher risk of functional impairment at school and in behavior toward others. Sex and socioeconomic status were not related to the diagnostic group.


CONCLUSIONS
ODD+AD comorbidity can be identified in preschool children. Early identification of this association is needed to adequately treat the affected children.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Virginia
V
Martín
Roser
R
Granero
Lourdes
L
Ezpeleta
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000453:epidemiology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology