Comparison of Quality of Life, Productivity, Functioning and Self-Esteem in Adults Diagnosed With ADHD and With Symptomatic ADHD

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> Investigate the association between diagnosis and outcomes in adults with symptoms of ADHD. <b>Method:</b> The Validate Attitudes and Lifestyle Issues in Depression, ADHD and Troubles with Eating (VALIDATE) study collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics data, and responses from validated questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, functioning, and self-esteem. ADHD-diagnosed respondents (<i>n</i> = 444) were matched with respondents with symptomatic ADHD (<i>n</i> = 1,055) within the same sex-by-age group using propensity score matching. Effects of ADHD diagnosis on each outcome were adjusted for covariates that remained imbalanced after matching, using generalized mixed models. <b>Results:</b> After matching, symptomatic respondents (<i>n</i> = 867) had worse outcomes than ADHD-diagnosed respondents (<i>n</i> = 436), as measured by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health questionnaire and Sheehan Disability Scale (<i>p</i> < .001). ADHD-diagnosed respondents had better mean EuroQol five-dimensional five-level (EQ-5D-5L) scores and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores than symptomatic respondents (<i>p</i> < .001). <b>Conclusion:</b> ADHD-diagnosed individuals are more likely to experience better functional performance, work-related productivity, HRQoL, and self-esteem than individuals with symptomatic ADHD.