Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Green M, Wong M, Atkins D
Record ID 32010001617
English
Authors' recommendations:
The prevalence of ADHD in the general unscreened school-age population was estimated from 4 percent to 12 percent. In the general, unscreened, school-age population, prevalence of ADHD co-occurring with other disorders was estimated to be high, based on results of four studies. Of children diagnosed with ADHD, approximately 35 percent also qualified for a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder, 28 percent qualified for a diagnosis of conduct disorder, 26 percent qualified for a diagnosis of anxiety disorder, and 18 percent also had a depressive disorder, and 12 percent had learning disabilities. Prevalence of ADHD in a pediatric clinic setting varied widely, with few studies available for analysis. The prevalence of comorbid ADHD in a pediatric clinic setting also varied too widely to draw useful conclusions.
Studies of ADHD-specific rating scales showed that the Conners Rating Scale of 1997 is highly effective for discriminating between children with ADHD and normal controls. The studies reviewed could not be used to derive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of broad-band rating scales in distinguishing children with significant problems from children without significant problems. Evidence does not support the use of tests of such as lead levels, thyroid function brain imaging, EEG, and neurological screening to screen children suspected of having ADHD.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44173/pdf/TOC.pdf
Year Published:
1999
URL for published report:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/adhddtp.htm
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
United States
Contact
Organisation Name:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Contact Address:
Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;
Contact Name:
martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Contact Email:
martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Copyright:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.