title: The Clinical Characteristics of ADHD Diagnosed in Adolescents in Comparison With Younger Children.
abstract: Objective:The aim of this study is to identify the clinical characteristics in adolescents newly diagnosed with ADHD.Method:Data of patients aged 7 to 17 years diagnosed with ADHD were collected and analyzed. The patients were divided into adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (Group I) and children aged 7 to 12 years (Group II): 592 males and 231 females. Group I consists of 450 participants, and Group II consists of 373 participants.Results:Adolescents were predominantly inattentive (63.8%); most of Group II patients had combined or hyperactive ADHD (70.8%). Learning disorders were more common in adolescents (51.2% vs. 39.7%) and treated mainly with long-acting methylphenidate (MPH), and Group II patients were treated mainly with short- and medium-acting MPH. Newly diagnosed adolescents were less likely to exhibit behavioral comorbidities. Headache and insomnia were reported more in adolescents, and stimulant rebound effect was more in younger children.Conclusion:Although the biological nature of ADHD is similar in both age groups, the primary symptomatology and associated comorbidities are prone to age-dependent changes.
authors.affiliation: Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.|The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahajnah
authors.affiliation: The Triangle Regional Research and Development Center, Kfar Qara, Israel.|Beit Berl Academic College, Israel.
authors.forename: Rajech
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharkia
authors.affiliation: Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.|The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shorbaji
authors.affiliation: Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.|The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.|Haifa District and Carmel Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Nathanel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zelnik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate
keywords: ADHD; adolescents ADHD; comorbid psychopathology