Risk factors for the existence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Over the years, several authors have reported symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, studies on the risk factors of ADHD symptoms in children with ASD are lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the risk factors for the development of ADHD symptoms in children with ASD. The sample consisted of 67 children with ASD who were assessed with Conner’s Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R), and with a semi-structured detailed interview administered to parents, to collect a series of clinical data such as coexisting somatic and neuropsychiatric problems and familial and pre/peri/postpartum risk factors. We found that 55% of ASD children exceeded the cut-off of CPRS-R Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), total scale. The univariate analyses showed that children’s age (P=0.048), motor delay (P=0.039), enuresis (P=0.014), allergies (P<0.01), comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (P=0.026) and intellectual disabilities comorbidities (P=0.034) were associated to the CPRS-R DSM-IV total score. Some familial predictors such as neuropsychiatric family history of intellectual disabilities (P=0.003) and psychosis (P=0.039) were related to the CPRS-R DSM-IV total score. In particular, a model including allergies (P=0.000) and family history of psychosis (P=0.03) explained 25% (corrected R2=0.25) of the variance of the DSM-IV ADHD score. In conclusion, we identified some risk factors associated with the development of ADHD symptoms in ASD children that need to be studied further.

ADHD-related symptoms and attention profiles in the unaffected siblings of probands with autism spectrum disorder: focus on the subtypes of autism and Asperger’s disorder

“…These impaired CPT performance included higher variability in reaction time [ 24 – 26 ] as well as more omission errors and poorer sustained attention [ 27 ]. Consistent with Western research [ 13 , 15 , 18 – 21 , 24 – 26 ], our previous study also showed that youths with ASD had more inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and oppositional symptoms, and also showed worse focused attention, cognitive impulsivity, and vigilance assessed by CPT compared to age-matched TD controls [ 27 ]. A recent study used a large Finnish ASD cohort to demonstrate that siblings of probands with ASD were at risk for ADHD (5.3% in siblings vs. 1.5% in controls, adjusted relative risk 3.7), and conduct and oppositional disorders (5.0 vs. 1.9%, adjusted relative risk 2.8) [ 28 ].…”

Sex-Gender Comparisons in Comorbidities of Children and Adolescents With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Over the years, and lastly after the publication of DSM-5, the overlap between ASD and ADHD has been supported by an increasing number of studies (28, 30–35). A recent study estimated that the prevalence of the co-occurring of ASD and ADHD is about 37–85% of children with ASD (35), supporting the hypothesis of a common neurobiological pathogenesis (35, 36). Moreover, comparing male with female, we found that ADHD with “Predominantly inattention presentation” prevails on female subgroup; while in male subgroup “Combined presentation” is the most frequent clinical presentation.…”

Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample

“…Lamanna et al found intellectual disability to be a risk factor for ADHD. They found that 22% of the participants with ADHD had coexisting intellectual disability [43]. Fernell E. et al found that among adolescents diagnosed with ASD, 38% had intellectual disability [44].…”