[ADHD: Burden of Disease According to Subtypes in Adult Patients]

Psychiatr Prax. 2016 Jul;43(5):279-82. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1552699. Epub 2015 Oct 21.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Objectives: In consideration of ADHD subtype we assessed burden of disease of adult ADHD patients and neuroticism.

Methods: 511 adult ADHD patients were enrolled in the study. We measured ADHD symptoms categorically and dimensionally by the "Homburger ADHS-Skalen für Erwachsene (HASE)". All participants rated their ADHD associated level of suffering. To assess personality traits, the psychometric instrument NEO-PI-R was used.

Results: In patients with higher levels of neuroticism, there was no significant difference in the level of suffering between the ADHD subtypes. In the group of ADHD patients which scored low on the neuroticism scale, ADHD combined patients are significant more affected compared to the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive or the predominantly inattentive type.

Conclusions: These results underline the hypothesis that the burden of disease is not only related to the level of ADHD symptoms and subtype but also moderated by neuroticism.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / classification*
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / classification*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Cost of Illness*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuroticism