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. 2011 Apr;15(3):183-92.
doi: 10.1177/1087054710362217. Epub 2010 Mar 23.

Predictors of ADHD persistence in girls at 5-year follow-up

Eric Mick  1 , Deirdre Byrne, Ronna Fried, Michael Monuteaux, Stephen V Faraone, Joseph Biederman
Affiliations

Predictors of ADHD persistence in girls at 5-year follow-up

Eric Mick et al. J Atten Disord. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study was to examine the age-dependent remission from ADHD in girls transitioning through childhood into adolescence and early adulthood.

Method: We conducted a 5-year prospective follow-up study of 123 girls with ADHD and 106 non-ADHD control girls aged between 6 and 17 years at ascertainment. ADHD was considered persistent at follow-up if participants met full diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV ADHD or met residual criteria for DSM-IV ADHD with associated impairment (Global Age Forum [GAF] score < 60).

Results: By age 16 years, ADHD was persistent in 71% (95% CI = 61-79%) of girls with ADHD. Participants with persistent ADHD at follow-up had more psychiatric comorbidity, behavior problems, and functional impairment than girls with ADHD in remission. Remitted ADHD, however, continued to be associated with functional impairment relative to non-ADHD controls. Persistence at 5 years was predicted by increased behavioral impairment at baseline.

Conclusion: This 5-year follow-up suggests that many girls with ADHD experience persistent symptoms and/or functional impairment through late adolescence and into early adulthood.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. ADHD persistence during 5-year follow-up
The Kaplan-Meier estimate of ADHD persistence as a function of age at follow-up is depicted in black with the 95% confidence intervals shaded in gray. This estimate of persistence is calculated on the number of participant still at risk at each time point: the number at risk is indicated at regular time points.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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