Prevalence ofaDHD inadult Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics in Sligo/leitrimarea, Ireland

Abstract

Introduction

The prevalence ofaDHD in adult population has been estimated at 2.5%. Higher rates (23.9%) have been reported among adult mental health service ( aMHS) users.

aims

To estimate the prevalence ofaDHD among adult MH users in west county Ireland.

Methods

all consecutive patients attending any of 5 Sligo/LeitrimaMHS were invited to participate. Participants completed theadultaDHD Self-Report Scale ( aSRS) and the wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS). Clinical notes were reviewed to identify those with preexistingaDHD diagnosis. Exclusion criteria applied were: age: less 18 or above 65, illiterate, non-English speaking patients.

Results

From 792 attending the clinics, n = 59 (47 aged above 65, 10 severe learning difficulties and 2 non-English speaking) were excluded. Ninety-three (11.7%) decline to participate, giving a total of n = 640 (87% eligible response rate). Mean age was 41.27 (SD: 12.8), and 336 (52.5%) were females. Three had diagnosis ofaDHD. Two hundred and thirteen (33.8%) met criteria on the WURS for childhood onsetaDHD and 238 (37.5%) participants met caseness on theaSRS.applying more stringent criteria of scoring on both scales, suggested 125 (19.5%) with unrecognisedaDHD.

Conclusions

While recall bias (WURS) and the possibility of overlapping symptoms with other major psychiatric disorders in adulthood need to be considered, the use of both screening reduces these confounders and suggests a very high rate ofaDHD. Given the low number previously identified, this becomes a clinical priority, both to offset the negative trajectories associated with untreatedaDHD, but also to effect optimal treatments in comorbid conditions.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.