METHOD: Our analysis is based on a large-scale research project involving 42 countries (International Sex Survey, N=72,627, 57% women, Mage=32.84; SDage=12.57).
RESULTS: The ASRS Screener demonstrated good reliability and validity, along with partial invariance across different languages, countries, and genders. The occurrence of being at risk for adult ADHD was relatively high (21.4% for women, 18.1% for men). The highest scores were obtained in the US, Canada, and other English-speaking Western countries, with significantly lower scores among East Asian and non-English-speaking European countries. Moreover, ADHD symptom severity and occurrence were especially high among gender-diverse individuals. Significant associations between adult ADHD symptoms and age, mental and sexual health, and socioeconomic status were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Present results show significant cross-cultural variability in adult ADHD occurrence as well as highlight important factors related to adult ADHD. Moreover, the importance of further research on adult ADHD in previously understudied populations (non-Western countries) and minority groups (gender-diverse individuals) is stressed. Lastly, the present analysis is consistent with previous evidence showing low specificity of adult ADHD screening instruments and contributes to the current discussion on accurate adult ADHD screening and diagnosis.
METHOD: Six medicated children (five boys, one girl; aged 6-12 years) with ADHD participated in a 4-week sleep intervention program. The main behavioral strategies used were Faded Bedtime With Response Cost (FBRC) and positive reinforcement. Within a case-series design, objective measure (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children [SDSC]) and subjective measure (sleep diaries) were used to record changes in children's sleep.
RESULTS: For all six children, significant decrease was found in the severity of children's sleep problems (based on SDSC data). Bedtime resistance and mean sleep onset latency were reduced following the 4-week intervention program according to sleep diaries data. Gains were generally maintained at the follow-up. Parents perceived the intervention as being helpful.
CONCLUSION: Based on the initial data, this intervention shows promise as an effective and feasible treatment.
METHOD: 75 HCs, 75 medication-naïve, and 45 medicated patients took part in this study. fNIRS signals during a verbal fluency task (VFT) were acquired using a 52-channel system and relative oxy-hemoglobin changes in the prefrontal cortex were quantified.
RESULTS: Prefrontal cortex hemodynamic response was lower in patients than HCs (p ≤ ≤.001). Medication-naïve and medicated patients did not differ in hemodynamic response or symptom severity (p > .05). fNIRS measurements were not associated with any clinical variables (p > .05). 75.8% patients and 76% HCs were correctly classified using hemodynamic response.
CONCLUSION: fNIRS may be a potential diagnostic tool for adult ADHD. These findings need to be replicated in larger validation studies.
METHOD: 783 Australian and 928 Malaysian parents provided ratings for an ADHD rating scale. Invariance was tested across these groups (Comparison 1), and North European Australian (n = 623) and Malay Malaysian (n = 571, Comparison 2) groups.
RESULTS: Results indicate support for form and item factor loading invariance; more than half the total number of symptoms showed item intercept invariance, and 14 symptoms showed invariance for error variances. There was invariance for both the factor variances and the covariance, and the latent mean scores for hyperactivity/impulsivity. For inattention latent scores, the Malaysian (Comparison 1) and Malay Malaysian (Comparison 2) groups had higher scores.
CONCLUSION: These results indicate fairly good support for invariance for parent ratings of the ADHD symptoms across the groups compared.
METHODS: The Prescription Cost Analysis database presenting the primary care prescriptions data and the Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles presenting all suspected ADRs reported for each drug were screened. The data were analyzed using linear regression analysis to examine the annual average change per year.
RESULTS: The prescription items dispensed for ADHD showed an average 11.07% (95% CI 10.54-11.60, p = .001) increase per year and there was a mean 11.54% (95% CI 11.03-12.06, p = .001) increase per year in the costs. The overall reporting of serious and fatal ADR was reduced by 1.79% per year for ADHD drugs. Guanfacine showed a 40% mean increase per year.
CONCLUSION: The increasing use of ADHD drugs within primary care in England could be a result of multiple factors such as growing ADHD prevalence.
METHOD: We conducted a narrative review to integrate the literature on ADHD in children in Asian countries with that on ADHD among Asian American youth to highlight potential explanations for disparities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment among Asian American children relative to other racial and ethnic groups.
RESULTS: Factors possibly contributing to the low estimated prevalence rates of ADHD among Asian American children include: a higher proportion of Inattentive ADHD presentation among Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian children; racial bias and the influence of the Model Minority Myth; cultural differences in classroom identification; mental health stigma in Asian American communities; parent perception of ADHD as misbehavior rather than a neurodevelopmental disorder; and parent support for children's academic activities that may mask impairment.
CONCLUSION: We offer recommendations to inform individual and community-level psychoeducation, and new directions for research to address this health disparity.