Carer perspective on treatment, comorbidities and diagnosis of Paediatric ADHD in France

Abstract

Objectives

To examine treatment, comorbidity status and diagnosis among the French sample of the Caregiver Perspective of Pediatric ADHD (CAPPA) survey.

Methods

Carers in 10 EU countries, including France, completed an Internet survey regarding ADHD diagnosis, treatment and comorbidities. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical [n (%)] and continuous variables [mean, standard deviation (SD), median, range].

Results

EU carers representing 3688 children/adolescents (6–17 years) with ADHD completed the survey; 486 were from France (median age 10 years, 84% male). Most (77%) French children/adolescents were currently receiving pharmacological treatment(s): 74% stimulant, 15% non-stimulant and 22% antipsychotic. Across countries, stimulant use ranged from 60% (Italy) to 93% (Germany/Netherlands), non-stimulant use from 1% (Germany) to 18% (Sweden) and antipsychotic use from 8% (Germany) to 46% (Italy). Many French children/adolescents received behaviour therapy (BT) after ADHD diagnosis (59%). Among those receiving BT, 52% began prior to starting medication. BT was often discontinued within 6 months (44%) or 6–12 (30%) months. 52% of carers reported ≥ 1 comorbidity; they reported the highest rates of conduct (24%), sleep (11%), eating (6%) and motor-coordination (6%) disorders, and the second-highest rates of anxiety (22%), learning difficulties (15%), oppositional defiant disorder (5%), bipolar disorder (4%) and epilepsy (2%). Time to diagnosis from first doctor's visit averaged 7 months (SD 11, median 3). 81% received a specialist referral. French carers reported the highest perceived difficulty (‘great deal’/’a lot’ of difficulty) obtaining a diagnosis (43%) and a specialist referral (53%).

Conclusions

This sample of French children/adolescents with ADHD had higher non-stimulant and antipsychotic use than most other countries and higher reports of certain comorbid conditions. Carers perceived greater difficulty in obtaining a diagnosis and seeing a specialist, although time to diagnosis was lower compared with a number of other countries.

Disclosure of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest concerning this article.