Citation

Taylor LE, Kates WR, Fremont W, Antshel KM. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2018; 43(6): 636-644.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY-Upstate Medical University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsy002

PMID

29378061

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a common microdeletion syndrome associated with a variety of negative health, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. 22q11DS is comorbid with many psychiatric disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study aimed to investigate the cognitive, behavioral, and functional outcomes that a childhood ADHD diagnosis predicts to in adulthood.

METHODS: This longitudinal study followed 52 individuals with 22q11DS over 9 years. Childhood ADHD was operationalized both categorically (Diagnostic and statistical manual - 4th edition (DSM-IV) ADHD diagnoses) and dimensionally (inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms) and was tested as predictors of young adult outcomes.

RESULTS: As young adults, children with 22q11DS + baseline ADHD had more parent-reported executive dysfunction and lower levels of clinician-rated overall functioning than those with 22q11DS yet without ADHD. Dimensional symptoms of ADHD in childhood did not predict young adult outcomes. No self-report differences emerged between those with and without baseline ADHD. The majority (82.4%) of individuals with 22q11DS + baseline ADHD were never treated with an ADHD medication.

CONCLUSIONS: A categorical diagnosis of ADHD in childhood predicted a greater variety of worse outcomes than dimensional levels of ADHD symptoms. Despite the significant impact of comorbid ADHD in 22q11DS, evidence-based treatment rates were low.

Language: en

Keywords

22q11.2 deletion syndrome; ADHD; developmental delay; longitudinal