ADHD Comorbidities
February 26, 2018
The Question: Are teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at an increased risk of having additional specific disorders?
The Study: This study used the records of 6,483 teens who participated in the National Comorbidity Replication Survey: Adolescent Supplement. The researchers looked at teens with the diagnosis of ADHD to determine what other diagnoses they had. The odds ratios were adjusted for demographics and additional medical and mental diagnoses.
The Results: The risks of teens diagnosed with ADHD also having a diagnosis of allergy, asthma, enuresis (nocturnal bed wetting), headache/migraine, and serious stomach or bowel
problems were increased compared to teens without ADHD. The strongest correlation was found for two diagnoses: enuresis and stomach problems.
Comment: This study raises a number of interesting questions. Perhaps ADHD is a multisystem condition that affects more than one body system. It’s important to remember that correlation doesn’t mean causation.
Read More: Journal of Child Neurology, 10/16