697 – Prevalence of ADHD in a French Community Sample of 892 Children: Results from the Chip-ARD Study

Abstract

Introduction:

In many European countries including France, awareness for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasing. Unfortunately, estimates of prevalence based on validated instruments and reasonably large and representative samples are still lacking in many of these countries.

Aims:

This study aims to estimate the prevalence rates of ADHD in school-aged children based on teacher ratings of the ADHD rating scale (ADHD-RS-IV) and of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms scale of the Normal-Behavior (SWAN). These scales differ in item wording and scoring, and have both been extensively validated.

Methods:

892 youths aged from 5 to 18 are included in the present study. Maximum-likelihood prevalence rates were estimated (based on recommended scoring criteria) in the entire sample and in gender (boys vs. girls) and age (below and above 12 years-old) subgroups.

Results:

Using the ADHD-RS, 10.65% of youths might have ADHD (4.37% Predominantly Inattentive subtype, 3.36% Combined subtype and 2.91% Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype). Boys were more affected than girls (sex ratio 1.4:1), children were more affected than adolescents, and ADHD girls were more likely to be of the Inattentive subtype. Using the SWAN, 2.25% of youths might have ADHD (1.13% Combined subtype, .90% Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype, .34% Predominantly Inattentive subtype). No overall differences between genders were observed, children were more affected than adolescents, and ADHD boys were more likely to be of hyperactive-impulsive subtype.

Conclusion:

There are true differences according to the rating scales. Teacher ratings provide useful information that also has to be combined with parental and clinical ratings.