An international clinical study of ability and disability in ADHD using the WHO-ICF framework

Abstract

This is the fourth and final study designed to develop International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, and children and youth version, ICF-CY) core sets for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To investigate aspects of functioning and environment of individuals with ADHD as documented by the ICF-CY in clinical practice settings. An international cross-sectional multi-centre study was applied, involving nine units from eight countries: Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Taiwan. Clinicians and clinical researchers rated the functioning level of 112 children, adolescents and adults with ADHD using the extended ICF-CY checklist version 2.1a. The ratings were based on a variety of information sources, such as medical records, medical history, clinical observations, clinical questionnaires, psychometric tests and structured interviews with participants and family members. In total, 113 ICF-CY categories were identified, of which 50 were related to the activities and participation, 33 to environmental factors and 30 to body functions. The clinical study also yielded strengths related to ADHD, which included temperament and personality functions and recreation and leisure. The study findings endorse the complex nature of ADHD, as evidenced by the many functional and contextual domains impacted in ADHD. ICF-CY based tools can serve as foundation for capturing various functional profiles and environmental facilitators and barriers. The international nature of the ICF-CY makes it possible to develop user-friendly tools that can be applied globally and in multiple settings, ranging from clinical services and policymaking to education and research.

Standardised assessment of functioning in ADHD: consensus on the ICF Core Sets for ADHD

“…The scoping review identified 50 [36], the international expert survey 53 [37], the qualitative study 82 [38], and the clinical cross-sectional study 109 second-level candidate categories [39]. Taken together, the four preparatory studies identified 132 unique second-level ICF candidate categories.…”

“…The aim of the international consensus conference described in this paper was to develop Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for ADHD based on the evidence collected through four international preparatory studies, i.e., a scoping review [36], an expert survey [37], a qualitative study [38], and a clinical cross-sectional study [39]. This aim was fulfilled by an international multiprofessional group of experts.…”

“…A scoping review of functioning data gathered by 80 ADHD-related outcome studies that were identified through a comprehensive search using scientific databases (e.g., Medline, PubMed, and Cinahl) [ A detailed description of each study can be found in separate scientific publications [36][37][38][39].…”

“…There were some challenges faced in developing the ADHD Core Sets that deserve attention, most of which have also been discussed in the publications on the preparatory studies [36][37][38][39]. First, although all six WHO world regions were represented in the preparatory studies and in the international consensus conference, parts of the world were not equally represented, potentially causing a risk that culturesensitive categories were overlooked.…”

Correlación entre discapacidad y calidad de vida en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad

“…En la actualidad se están desarrollando estudios transculturales para diseñar el conjunto básico de la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, la Discapacidad y la Salud (CIF) para el TDAH, dado que se reconocen muchas categorías, en su mayoría desde las funciones corporales, las actividades personales, la participación social y los factores ambientales (9,10).…”