Diagnostic Outcomes of Childhood ADHD in Chinese Adults

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> We examined adulthood diagnostic, functioning, and social outcomes of childhood ADHD in a Hong Kong Chinese clinical sample. <b>Method:</b> We identified from the central registry 499 Chinese adults clinically diagnosed with ADHD aged 6 to 12 in 2002-2005 in four Hong Kong child psychiatric centers. Assessments included ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale (ACDS), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID), and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS). <b>Results:</b> Eligible participants = 499. One hundred forty-five completed assessments, two deceased, six incarcerated, 100 had invalid contact, 83 declined, 34 emigrated, and 129 unable to attend. Mean follow-up duration = 14.9 years. Nonrespondents were slightly younger (19.78 vs. 20.53, <i>p</i> < .001). In all, 83.1% of all participants currently met <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i> (5th ed.; <i>DSM-5</i>) ADHD criteria (36.8% inattentive subtype (IA), 43% combined, 3.3% hyperactive/impulsive subtype (H/I) ). One third of persistent ADHD participants currently received care. ADHD persistence was associated with significantly increased psychiatric comorbidity (49.5% vs. 22.7%, <i>p</i> = .02) and poor academic and social outcomes. ADHD persistence and comorbidity independently predicted impairment. <b>Conclusion:</b> Adulthood-persistence of clinically presented childhood ADHD is common and impairing in Hong Kong Chinese.