Nutritional and environmental factors in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been related to nutrient deficiencies and ‘unhealthy’ diets, and to date there is only one study that examined the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and ADHD. The aim was to determine the association between those environmental, nutritional, and body composition factors that may affect the pathogenesis and symptomatology of patients with ADHD in Spain.

Methods: A total of 89 children and adolescents (41 with diagnosed ADHD and 48 controls) were studied in an observation case–control study. Anthropometry, nutritional status, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were measured.

Results: Lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with ADHD diagnosis. Individuals with ADHD more often missed having a second serving of vegetables daily and showed reduced intakes of fish, pulses, and pasta or rice almost every day when compared with controls. Statistically significant differences (P?P?Conclusion: Low adherence to a Mediterranean diet might play a role in ADHD development. Not only specific nutrients but also the whole diet should be considered in ADHD. No clear association was found for anthropometry and sedentary behaviours.     

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in preschool children: discrepancy between parent and teacher evaluations

Objective  Clarifying the characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in childhood is important for the prevention and management of this disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Japanese preschool children based on evaluations performed by parents or teachers. Methods  A questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate the estimated prevalence of ADHD symptoms in preschool children in Niigata City, Japan. The first survey, conducted in 2003, involved an evaluation of ADHD symptoms by their school teachers. The second survey, conducted in 2006, involved an evaluation of the symptoms by parents. The teacher survey included 9,956 children, and the parent survey included 7,566 children. Parents and teachers assessed ADHD symptoms in children using a 14-item questionnaire based on DSM-III-R. Children with a score of 8 or higher were classified as having ADHD symptoms. Results  The overall prevalence of ADHD symptoms was 2,349/7,566 (31.1%) in the parent survey and 431/9,956 (4.3%) in the teacher survey, with a prevalence ratio of 7.2 (95% CI: 6.5–7.9). Likelihood ratio test indicated that variables significantly associated with the presence of ADHD symptoms were gender, age, school type, interaction between gender and observer, and interaction between school type and observer (each with P < 0.0001). Conclusions  The large difference between the estimated prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Japanese preschool children from teacher and parent surveys suggests that compared to teachers, parents consider their children’s symptoms much more serious. Thus, parental evaluation of ADHD symptoms using DSM criteria may be inappropriate for ADHD screening.     

Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, overeating, and body mass index in men

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of obesity currently poses a global health crisis. Previous research has identified a novel link between obesity and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD(H)D). Davis, Levitan, Smith, Tweed and Curtis [Davis, C., Levitan, R. D., Smith, M., Tweed, S., & Curtis, C. (2006). Associations among overeating, overweight, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A structural equation modeling approach. Eating Behaviors, 7, 266-274] recently tested a structural equation model predicting that AD(H)D symptoms foster overeating and subsequently contribute to the variation in Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of healthy adult females. The data were an excellent fit to the model. PURPOSE: In order to extend the generalizability of these findings, the present study tested the same model in 145 non-clinical adult males. RESULTS: Similar to the findings in females, AD(H)D symptoms positively predicted overeating in males, which in turn positively predicted BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight mechanisms whereby AD(H)D symptoms could influence body mass and stress the importance of addressing AD(H)D symptoms in both the prevention and treatment of overeating and obesity.     

Elderly patients' and GPs' views on different methods for patient involvement: an international qualitative interview study

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients' interaction with the GP may be improved through patient involvement techniques, and there is a variety of such techniques which improve patients' involvement in their own care, although little is known about their acceptability. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators for using patient information leaflets and patient satisfaction questionnaires as methods for increasing elderly patients' involvement in general practice care by comparing their views with the GPs' views on these two types of methods. METHODS: In seven countries (Austria, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Switzerland) 146 GPs and 284 patients aged 70 and over were interviewed about the use and the acceptability of these two methods. Interviewers followed a semi-structured interview guide, and all interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: The arguments for using patient satisfaction questionnaires were that they would provide the GP with more information, function as a basis for change, increase patients' self-confidence and make them more conscious of what to expect. Barriers for their use were cognitive impairment among patients, fear that they would not answer honestly and opposition to written material. The arguments for patient information leaflets were that they could support patients' memories, educate patients and promote their self-responsibility. The barriers were cognitive impairment among patients and fear that they would give them false impressions of what to expect. CONCLUSION: Both instruments were generally well accepted by both GPs and patients. Their use seemed to be dependent upon the individual GP's attitude and the patients' cognitive capacities.     

GPs' perspectives on managing time in consultations with patients suffering from depression: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Although there is widespread concern that general practice consultations are too short for doctors to provide a high quality of care for patients, the relationship between the length and outcome of these consultations remains unclear. Research to date has neglected the subjective experience of consultation time of both patients and GPs. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate GP perspectives on consultation time and the management of depression in general practice. METHOD: A qualitative interview-based study was carried out of 19 GPs from eight West Midlands general practices. RESULTS: The GPs in this study acknowledged the pressure of work and resource constraints in general practice. However, they did not feel these prevented them from providing good support and treatment for depression. They were confident in the effectiveness of antidepressants and their own skills in providing counselling support, and were able to utilize time flexibly in responding to patients' variable needs. Depression was viewed as a relatively straightforward problem that usually could be managed within the resources available to general practice. CONCLUSION: The doctors generally did not experience time to be a limiting factor in providing care for patients with depression. This is in contrast to the more acute sense of time pressure commonly reported by patients which they felt undermined their capacity to benefit from the consultation. GPs need to be more aware of patient anxieties about time, and to devise effective means of raising patients' sense of time entitlement in general practice consultations.     

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent and pervasive pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Emerging data suggest higher than expected rates of binge eating occur in subjects with ADHD. Several hypotheses may explain this newly described comorbidity: 1) inattention and/or impulsivity foster binge eating, 2) ADHD and binge eating share common neurobiological bases, 3) binge eating contributes to ADHD, or 4) psychopathological factors common to both binge eating and ADHD mediate the association. In patients with ADHD and binge eating, both conditions might benefit from common therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to gain insight into the association between ADHD and binge eating in order to facilitate more appropriate clinical management and, ultimately, a better quality of life for patients with both conditions.     

Ethical considerations for research involving boys diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The ‘new sociology of childhood’ has activated a growing interest in children as social actors and their level of involvement in activities that affect their lives. In the field of research, debate is underway regarding the consent processes and methodological activities that support child participation. This paper highlights methodological and ethical considerations that emerged while engaging in research with young boys (aged 9–11 years old) with a formal diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Key issues include recruitment, informed consent, and participatory activities for data production. Sociocultural theories of childhood and disability are applied to reflect on the power and privilege operating through the research process. Engaging in research that involves children with disabilities, in which discourses of risk, stigma, and protection are elevated, problematizes the researcher–researched relationship and expands considerations of what constitutes ethical practice and ‘valuable data’.     

母亲文化程度与学龄前儿童饮食模式对注意缺陷多动障碍症状的潜在交互作用

目的 探讨母亲文化程度与学龄前儿童饮食模式对注意缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）症状的交互作用。方法 2014年选择马鞍山市区91所幼儿园16 439名3~6岁学龄前儿童作为研究对象,通过问卷调查食物频率和社会人口学特征,采用Conners父母症状问卷进行ADHD症状评估。采用非条件logistic回归分析母亲文化程度与学龄前儿童饮食模式对ADHD症状的相乘交互作用,采用Excel软件分析其相加交互作用。结果 母亲文化程度偏低[aOR=1.31（1.13~1.52）]、学龄前儿童加工型饮食模式得分偏高[aOR=1.31（1.16~1.48）]、零食型饮食模式得分偏高[aOR=1.45（1.29~1.63）]均增加学龄前儿童ADHD症状的发生风险,素食型饮食模式得分偏高[aOR=0.80（0.71~0.90）]降低学龄前儿童ADHD症状的发生风险。母亲文化程度低与学龄前儿童加工型饮食模式对ADHD症状交互作用的超额相对危险度（RERI）为0.21、交互作用归因比（AP）为0.13和交互作用指数（SI）为1.47,存在相加交互作用和相乘交互作用（OR=1.17,95% CI：1.11~1.25）;母亲文化程度低与零食型饮食模式（RERI=0.49,AP=0.26,SI=2.36）未发现相加交互作用,但存在相乘交互作用（OR=1.21,95% CI：1.14~1.29）;与素食型饮食模式（RERI=0.09,AP=0.05,SI=1.15）未发现相加交互作用和相乘交互作用（OR=0.97,95% CI：0.92~1.03）。结论 母亲文化程度低是学龄前儿童ADHD症状发生的危险因素,与学龄前儿童的加工型饮食模式存在相加和相乘交互作用,与零食型饮食模式存在相乘交互作用,与素食型饮食模式无相加和相乘交互作用。     

A case report: ethics of a proposed qualitative study of hospital closure in an Australian rural community

BACKGROUND: The GP and qualitative researcher use similar patient-centred approaches, but their roles are different. Guidelines for conducting GP research in small communities are limited. I planned a qualitative study about hospital closure in a small rural Australian town where I worked. Few studies have researched community reaction to hospital closure and this process of change. METHODS: I used historical analysis to improve external reliability, and purposeful sampling to develop and pre-test a qualitative semi-structured research instrument. Newspaper articles, minutes and tape recordings of public meetings, annual reports from 1991 to 1997, quality assurance data and interviews with two health professionals were analysed in this process. These sources were coded using content and thematic analysis. Ethical issues arose during early stages of planning. Ethical guidelines and bioethics principles were discussed with colleagues and a member of an ethics committee. I validated my findings with three other community members involved in the hospital closure. RESULTS: Themes of a transition, from resistance to change and divisions between key stake holders, to a need to appreciate the benefits of change emerged in coding material from 1991 to 1997. The principle of non-maleficence outweighed the principle of beneficence in this study. Existing health services could be harmed by examining the process of change after spending time and resources to reconcile community differences. Individuals could be harmed as confidentiality in a small community was difficult to maintain, and discussions about sensitive issues could produce adverse public criticism. The autonomy of participants to give informed consent was complicated by the author providing clinical services in the community, raising concerns about patients feeling an obligation to participate. CONCLUSIONS: A justified case for discontinuing this study was made by the researcher on ethical grounds. Use of bioethical principles and community representatives to validate findings was a useful technique to guide decisions in a small rural community. This discussion has application in planning other small community studies.     

Acute effects of physical exercise on cognitive and psychological functioning in college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

We sought to elucidate the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) among college students with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were age- and sex-matched across ADHD (n = 18) and non-ADHD groups (n = 18) and both groups completed baseline (non-HIIT) and experimental sessions (HIIT). We examined within- and between-subject effects on a continuous performance task (CPT) and self-reported ADHD and internalizing symptomatology. We found that the degree of improvement on ADHD and depressive symptomatology, as well as processing speed and response variability following HIIT was significantly greater for the ADHD group than the comparison group. Further investigations such as randomized controlled trials focusing on the chronic effects of sustained HIIT interventions are needed to substantiate the potential feasibility and efficacy of HIIT as an intervention. HIIT may be a useful adjunct to psychosocial and/or pharmacological treatments for college students with ADHD because it: (a) yields immediate, acute improvements in executive functioning, ADHD, and mood; (b) promotes improved physical and mental health; (c) poses a relatively low risk of deleterious effects in apparently healthy college students. Even with the need for additional research, current data suggest a single, brief, high-intensity bout of aerobic exercise can yield immediate significant short-term improvements. These improvements may enhance functioning and improve outcomes for college students with ADHD.     

Order bias in estimates of willingness to pay for drugs to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

This study investigated the presence of order bias in contingent valuation studies. We compared the willingness to pay (WTP) for an improved drug for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with that for the standard drug and examined whether the order in which the drugs are presented influences the results obtained. A pretested questionnaire was administered to 114 university students. WTP was elicited using the payment card method. A split sample was used to test order bias. The average WTP per month was €57.34 for the standard drug and €81.95 for the new drug. The results show that WTP for a new drug varies according to the order in which the drugs are presented. Respondents stated a higher WTP for the new drug if the standard therapy was presented first. This may be due to order bias, evidence of which has also been found in other studies and which is considered to be a limitation of the method. Finally, the use of marginal WTP is suggested as a solution.     

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge

BACKGROUND: GPs need evidence and guidance to help them diagnose and manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ME appropriately. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was to obtain baseline data and identify the factors associated with GPs' attitudes to and knowledge of CFS/ME. The attitude of GPs to the condition is an important indicator of likely prognosis. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to 1054 GPs served by Taunton, Bristol and Gloucester laboratories. GPs' attitudes to nine statements about CFS/ME were assessed and the factors associated with positive or negative responses were determined. Knowledge of the clinical features was also assessed. RESULTS: 811 GPs (77%) returned the questionnaire. 48% of GPs did not feel confident with making a diagnosis of CFS/ME and 41% did not feel confident in treatment. 72% of GPs accepted CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity and those GPs had significantly more positive attitudes. Three other key factors that were significantly, positively associated with GPs' attitudes were knowing someone socially with CFS/ME, being male and seeing more patients with the condition in the last year. CONCLUSION: Despite the publication of guidance for GPs on CFS/ME, confidence with making a diagnosis and management was found to be low. Educational initiatives and guidance for GPs should stress the importance of accepting CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity, as this is linked to having a positive attitude and could lead to improved confidence to make a diagnosis and treat CFS/ME patients.     

You can't prevent everything anyway: a qualitative study of beliefs and attitudes about refusing health screening in general practice

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore beliefs and attitudes about refusing health screening in general practice. METHODS: In 1991, in Ebeltoft, Denmark people aged between 30 and 50 years were invited to participate in a 5-year randomized, controlled, population-based project testing the value of health screenings and health discussions in general practice. In 1994, non-participants who declined the offered health screening but expressed willingness to be contacted in the future were asked to participate in a qualitative interview. They were drawn by stratified purposeful sampling which reflected variation in perceived health, body mass index, age and sex. The sample comprised six men and 12 women RESULTS: Some had not participated because they were busy, felt healthy or had recently been examined. The non-participants emphasized the limitations of health screening and did not want possible risk factors to be revealed, or their feeling of good health to be disturbed. They stressed the individual's own responsibility for maintaining good health and believed that a positive attitude promoted health. They would contact their GP if they had symptoms. CONCLUSION: Non-participants have rational views on risk factor testing and on their own responsibility for maintaining health. Non-attendance was due to a conscious choice which included consulting their own GP.     

Psychometric validation of the child health questionnaire (CHQ) in a sample of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in clinical trials can complement efficacy measures, offering a complete picture of the impact of disease and treatment on overall well-being. The purpose of the current study was to psychometrically validate a multidimensional, generic HRQL instrument completed by parents of children with ADHD. A total of 921 children and adolescents with ADHD participated in a clinical study of atomoxetine. Subjects parents completed the 50-item Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Version (CHQ-PF50) at baseline and week 10. ADHD symptoms and behavioral problems were assessed using parent and clinician rating scales. Internal consistency reliability at baseline was 0.88 for the CHQ-PF50 Psychosocial Summary Score, ranging from 0.53 to 0.91 for subscale scores. Construct validity was supported by statistically significant correlations between CHQ-PF50 psychosocial scores and parent and clinician symptom ratings. Several methods were used to determine clinically meaningful differences in patient outcomes: inter- and intra-patient mean CHQ-PF50 change scores were tested and standard error of measurement (SEM) and effect sizes were calculated. Study results indicate the CHQ-PF50 is reliable, valid, and responsive to change in ADHD symptoms, suggesting it may provide a means of assessing HRQL outcomes associated with treatments for ADHD.     

Socially responsible antibiotic choices in primary care: a qualitative study of GPs' decisions to prescribe broad-spectrum and fluroquinolone antibiotics

BACKGROUND: There is considerable variation within and between countries in general medical practitioners' (GPs') prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as fluroquinolones, and resistance to these agents is increasing worldwide. Urgently promoting cautious fluroquinolone prescribing in primary care may limit increase in resistance. OBJECTIVE: We therefore interviewed 40 GPs in order to explore the reasons for their choice of prescribed antibiotic, in particular their decision to prescribe fluroquinolones. METHODS: We used a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis, incorporating purposive and theoretical sampling, based on high and average fluroquinolone prescribing. Interviews were conducted with 26 GPs from practices known to be high prescribers of fluroquinolone antibiotics and 14 from average fluroquinolone prescribing practices. RESULTS: Chosing to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as a fluroquinolone, rather than a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, related to a number of clinical considerations, perceptions of patient expectations and organizational influences. GPs from high fluroquinolone prescribing practices were more likely to prioritize patients' immediate needs, whereas GPs from average prescribing practices were more likely to consider longer term issues. GPs from both high and average fluroquinolone prescribing practices justified their antibiotic choices on the basis of a desire to do their best for their patients and society. CONCLUSION: Choosing to prescribe powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics such as fluroquinolones, as well as choosing to keep these agents in reserve, was justified on the basis of social responsibility. Strategies to change fluroquinolone and broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing will need to take into account clinicians' perceptions of social responsibility.     

ASD与ADHD患儿基本面部表情识别特点研究

目的 测试孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童、注意力缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)儿童和正常儿童对基本面部表情的识别能力,探讨孤独症谱系障碍儿童面部表情识别障碍特点。方法 采用计算机系统对32例ASD儿童和32例ADHD儿童和32例正常儿童进行测试, 以反应时长、正确率为分析指标,三组儿童在发展年龄上进行匹配。结果 1)ASD组和ADHD组相比,两组对高兴、愤怒情绪的注视时间差异无统计学意义(t=1.04、0.16,P>0.05);ASD组对悲伤、惊讶、恐惧的注视时间均短于对ADHD组,差异有统计学意义(t=1.83、1.79 、2.96,P<0.05)。ASD组和ADHD 组对各表情的平均注视时间均短于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2)ASD组对高兴、愤怒识别正确率与正常组比较差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.318、0.067,P>0.05 );ASD组的悲伤、惊讶、恐惧的识别率低于正常组(χ²=0.428、8.532、5.455 ,P<0.05);ADHD组仅对恐惧的识别率低于正常组(χ²=5.406,P<0.05);ADHD对其他几种情绪的识别率与正常组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05 )。结论 ASD儿童的面部表情识别障碍不仅仅源于视觉注意减少;ASD患儿的情绪识别障碍主要体现在对悲伤、惊讶、恐惧的情绪的识别中,对高兴、愤怒的识别率相对较高。     

儿童注意缺陷多动障碍诊断和治疗的研究

学龄期儿童注意缺陷多动障碍的发病率约为 11.5 % ,这对个人、家庭和社会产生深远的负面影响 ,故儿童注意缺陷多动障碍日益受到广泛重视 ,该文对目前国内外儿童注意缺陷多动障碍的诊断和治疗进展做一综述 ,拟为诊断和治疗儿童注意缺陷多动障碍提供帮助     

Vanderbilt父母评定量表在注意缺陷多动障碍儿童临床评估中的应用

【目的】通过将Vanderbilt父母评定量表应用于门诊中疑为注意缺陷多动障碍(attention-deficit/hyperac-tivity disorder,ADHD)的儿童,探讨该量表在辅助ADHD诊断及共患病筛查中的应用价值。【方法】2006年3月~2007年5月期间收集疑似ADHD儿童1478名,家长填写Vanderbilt父母评定量表,同时专业医生按照DSM-IV标准对儿童进行诊断,将两种方法的结果进行比较,同时根据Vanderbilt父母评定量表的结果进行共患病筛查。【结果】以DSM-IV为参照标准,Vanderbilt父母评定量表对ADHD总敏感度为90.2%,特异度为62.2%,诊断一致率为72.5%;对注意缺陷为主型的敏感度为64.9%,特异度为82.3%,诊断一致率为78.0%;对多动冲动为主型的敏感度为62.2%,特异度为90.0%,诊断一致率为88.6%;对混合型的敏感度为62.6%,特异度为88.5%,诊断一致率为86.8%。ADHD儿童中筛查出对立违抗障碍者165名,品行障碍者34名,焦虑/抑郁者21名。【结论】Vanderbilt父母评定量表对ADHD及各亚型有较好的敏感度和特异度,与DSM-IV诊断结果较符合,能提供关于常见共患病及功能损害的信息,且易于填写和评分,可用于门诊或推广至基层卫生保健机构作为评估以及获得ADHD诊断相关信息、筛查共患病的有效工具。