Prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in outpatient adolescents and young adults with other psychiatric disorders refractory to previous treatments

Abstract Introduction The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with other primary psychiatric disorders, who had not responded to previous treatments. Materials and methods A total of 795 outpatients aged 15–24 years were included. The presence of ADHD was studied using DSM-IV criteria and the frequency of symptoms using the 18-item DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale. Results ADHD (DSM-IV criteria) was present in 48 patients (6%), none of them had previously received the diagnosis. A total of 260 patients (32.7%) met the criteria for moderate ADHD and between them, severity of primary psychiatric disorder was higher according to the CGI-S ( p  = 0.007). Risk factors for moderate ADHD symptoms were the presence of substance use disorders (SUD) (odds ratio = 1.543, p  = 0.01) and borderline personality disorders (odds ratio = 2.173, p  = 0.0001). Conclusion Unrecognized ADHD was present in 6% of patients; moreover 32.7% of the sample also presented moderate symptoms of the disorder. Screening for ADHD in young patients with refractory response to primary disorder treatment, mainly those with substance use disorders, conduct and personality disorders is highly advisable, due to the high frequency of ADHD comorbidity in these psychiatric disorders.