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Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS).

Publication ,  Journal Article
Posner, K; Melvin, GA; Murray, DW; Gugga, SS; Fisher, P; Skrobala, A; Cunningham, C; Vitiello, B; Abikoff, HB; Ghuman, JK; Kollins, S ...
Published in: J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol
October 2007

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation of preschoolers diagnosed with moderate to severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) recruited for the multisite Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). The diagnosis and evaluation process will also be described. METHOD: A comprehensive multidimensional, multi-informant assessment protocol was implemented including the semistructured PATS Diagnostic Interview. Parent and teacher-report measures were used to supplement information from interviews. Consensus agreement by a cross-site panel on each participant's diagnoses was required. Analyses were conducted to describe the sample and to test associations between ADHD severity and demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The assessment protocol identified 303 preschoolers (3-5.5 years) with moderate to severe ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive or Combined type. The majority of participants (n = 211, 69.6%) experienced co-morbid disorders, with oppositional defiant disorder, communication disorders, and anxiety disorders being the most common. Participants with co-morbid communication disorders were found to be more anxious and depressed. ADHD severity was found to correlate with more internalizing difficulties and lower functioning. Although boys and girls had similar symptom presentations, younger children had significantly higher ADHD severity. CONCLUSIONS: Preschoolers with moderate to severe ADHD experience high co-morbidity and impairment, which have implications for both assessment and treatment.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol

DOI

ISSN

1044-5463

Publication Date

October 2007

Volume

17

Issue

5

Start / End Page

547 / 562

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Wounds and Injuries
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Research Design
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Methylphenidate
  • Male
 

Citation

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Posner, K., Melvin, G. A., Murray, D. W., Gugga, S. S., Fisher, P., Skrobala, A., … Greenhill, L. L. (2007). Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS). J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol, 17(5), 547–562. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2007.0075
Posner, Kelly, Glenn A. Melvin, Desiree W. Murray, S Sonia Gugga, Prudence Fisher, Anne Skrobala, Charles Cunningham, et al. “Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS).J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 17, no. 5 (October 2007): 547–62. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2007.0075.
Posner K, Melvin GA, Murray DW, Gugga SS, Fisher P, Skrobala A, et al. Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS). J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2007 Oct;17(5):547–62.
Posner, Kelly, et al. “Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS).J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol, vol. 17, no. 5, Oct. 2007, pp. 547–62. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/cap.2007.0075.
Posner K, Melvin GA, Murray DW, Gugga SS, Fisher P, Skrobala A, Cunningham C, Vitiello B, Abikoff HB, Ghuman JK, Kollins S, Wigal SB, Wigal T, McCracken JT, McGough JJ, Kastelic E, Boorady R, Davies M, Chuang SZ, Swanson JM, Riddle MA, Greenhill LL. Clinical presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in preschool children: the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS). J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2007 Oct;17(5):547–562.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol

DOI

ISSN

1044-5463

Publication Date

October 2007

Volume

17

Issue

5

Start / End Page

547 / 562

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Wounds and Injuries
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Research Design
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Methylphenidate
  • Male