Symptoms and level of functioning related to comorbidity in children and adolescents with ADHD: a cross-sectional registry study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is well known that a wide range of psychiatric disorders co-occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this study we aimed to examine the associations of psychiatric comorbidity in ADHD with symptom severity and level of functioning. METHODS: We used data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for ADHD Treatment Follow-up and identified comorbid diagnoses in a sample of 3246 Swedish children and adolescents with ADHD. We investigated the association of comorbidity with symptom severity and level of function by multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and affective disorders, oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, learning disorders, and multiple comorbid disorders associate to lower levels of functioning compared to ADHD only. Multiple comorbidity, autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant or conduct disorders and tic disorders relate to ADHD symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity subgroups with ADHD differ in functional impairment and ADHD symptoms severity. Information on comorbidity profiles could be used for treatment planning more adapted to the individual. Especially those who have autism spectrum disorders and multiple comorbid disorders are at risk of severe ADHD symptoms and low level of functioning.