ABSTRACT
Objectives
Depressive symptoms, even when they do not meet full diagnostic criteria, may adversely affect academic performance, social relationships, and quality of life in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate changes in subthreshold depressive symptoms in children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with ADHD following pharmacological treatment.
Materials and Methods
The medical records of children aged 6-12 years who were diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-5-TR criteria and admitted to our clinic between 01.01.2016-30.09.2023 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were being within the specified age range, having sufficient medical record data, and a diagnosis of ADHD. A score of ≥19 on the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, the presence of comorbid neurodevelopmental or organic disorders, or the use of chronic medications other than ADHD treatment were defined as exclusion criteria. CDI scores obtained before and after treatment were compared in patients who met the study criteria.
Results
A total of 1,019 patient records were reviewed, and data from 101 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the participants was 8.72±1.79 years; 78.2% (n=79) were male and 21.8% (n=22) were female. Of the patients, 30.7% (n=31) had the predominantly inattentive presentation and 69.3% (n=70) had the combined presentation of ADHD. The median CDI score decreased from 14.00 [interquartile range (IQR): 10.00-17.00] before treatment to 7.00 (IQR: 4.00-10.00) after treatment. The Wilcoxon test demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in CDI scores (z=-8.561, p<0.001).
Conclusion
A significant reduction in subthreshold depressive symptoms was observed at an average of six months of treatment in children with ADHD. These findings suggest that ADHD treatment may also be associated with improvements in accompanying depressive symptoms, which should be considered in clinical treatment planning.
Keywords:
ADHD, comorbidity, subthreshold depression, treatment, child, adolescent
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