Abstract
Although ADHD significantly affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their families, QoL in children with ADHD has
rarely been investigated in association with psychopathological profile, and the relationship remains unclear. The open-label
OBSEER study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of Equasym XL®, a modified-release methylphenidate, in routine care of children and adolescents (aged 6–17 years) with ADHD. At baseline,
questionnaires assessing psychopathological profile (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ; parental ratings) and
QoL (KINDL; parent, child or adolescent versions) were completed; QoL was reassessed at final visit. We analysed the relationship
between psychopathology and parent/patient-rated QoL in ADHD at baseline. Data from 721 consecutively referred children and
adolescents were analysed. QoL was similarly low from parent and self-ratings and independent of severity on the SDQ subscale
hyperactivity/inattention. Self-ratings indicated that additional conduct disorder was associated with further reduction in QoL. Similarly, children
with high scores from parent and adolescent ratings on the SDQ subscale conduct problems had reduced QoL on some KINDL subscales. Adolescents with ADHD not receiving medication at baseline reported lower QoL than
those already on medication. Results show that children and adolescents with ADHD have low QoL, independent of core symptom
severity. Additional conduct problems may further impact QoL negatively, while ADHD medication use may show a trend towards
improved QoL. Not all psychopathological problems associated with ADHD affect QoL similarly. As parents appear to have a less
critical view of QoL compared with children’s self-ratings, both parent and child ratings should be included in clinical assessments.
rarely been investigated in association with psychopathological profile, and the relationship remains unclear. The open-label
OBSEER study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of Equasym XL®, a modified-release methylphenidate, in routine care of children and adolescents (aged 6–17 years) with ADHD. At baseline,
questionnaires assessing psychopathological profile (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ; parental ratings) and
QoL (KINDL; parent, child or adolescent versions) were completed; QoL was reassessed at final visit. We analysed the relationship
between psychopathology and parent/patient-rated QoL in ADHD at baseline. Data from 721 consecutively referred children and
adolescents were analysed. QoL was similarly low from parent and self-ratings and independent of severity on the SDQ subscale
hyperactivity/inattention. Self-ratings indicated that additional conduct disorder was associated with further reduction in QoL. Similarly, children
with high scores from parent and adolescent ratings on the SDQ subscale conduct problems had reduced QoL on some KINDL subscales. Adolescents with ADHD not receiving medication at baseline reported lower QoL than
those already on medication. Results show that children and adolescents with ADHD have low QoL, independent of core symptom
severity. Additional conduct problems may further impact QoL negatively, while ADHD medication use may show a trend towards
improved QoL. Not all psychopathological problems associated with ADHD affect QoL similarly. As parents appear to have a less
critical view of QoL compared with children’s self-ratings, both parent and child ratings should be included in clinical assessments.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Supplement
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0204-2
- Authors
- Andreas Becker, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Veit Roessner, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Dieter Breuer, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Manfred Döpfner, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Aribert Rothenberger, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827