title: Life Span Studies of ADHD-Conceptual Challenges and Predictors of Persistence and Outcome.
abstract: There is a renewed interest in better conceptualizing trajectories of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from childhood to adulthood, driven by an increased recognition of long-term impairment and potential persistence beyond childhood and adolescence. This review addresses the following major issues relevant to the course of ADHD in light of current evidence from longitudinal studies: (1) conceptual and methodological issues related to measurement of persistence of ADHD, (2) estimates of persistence rate from childhood to adulthood and its predictors, (3) long-term negative outcomes of childhood ADHD and their early predictors, and (4) the recently proposed new adult-onset ADHD. Estimates of persistence vary widely in the literature, and diagnostic criteria, sample characteristics, and information source are the most important factors explaining variability among studies. Evidence indicates that ADHD severity, comorbid conduct disorder and major depressive disorder, and treatment for ADHD are the main predictors of ADHD persistence from childhood to adulthood. Comorbid conduct disorder and ADHD severity in childhood are the most important predictors of adverse outcomes in adulthood among children with ADHD. Three recent population studies suggested the existence of a significant proportion of individuals who report onset of ADHD symptoms and impairments after childhood. Finally, we highlight areas for improvement to increase our understanding of ADHD across the life span.
authors: ADHD Outpatient Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors: Arthur
authors: A
authors: Caye
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Swanson
authors: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Thapar
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Sibley
authors: MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Arseneault
authors: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Lily
authors: L
authors: Hechtman
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Nisonger Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: L Eugene
authors: LE
authors: Arnold
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Centre for Collaborative Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors: Janni
authors: J
authors: Niclasen
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Terrie
authors: T
authors: Moffitt
authors: ADHD Outpatient Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. lrohde@terra.com.br.|National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents, São Paulo, Brazil. lrohde@terra.com.br.|Serviço de Psiquiatria da Infância e Adolescência, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, 4o andar, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil. lrohde@terra.com.br.
authors: Luis Augusto
authors: LA
authors: Rohde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ADHD; Course; Longitudinal investigations; Outcomes; Persistence; Predictors