Adult ADHD Screening in Alcohol-Dependent Patients Using the Wender–Utah Rating Scale and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daigre, Constanza; Roncero, Carlos; Rodríguez-Cintas, Laia; Ortega, Lluisa; Lligoña, Anna; Fuentes, Sonia; Pérez-Pazos, Jesús; Martínez-Luna, Nieves; Casas, Miguel
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 19:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 328
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: adult ADHD -- alcohol dependence -- assessment -- diagnosis -- WURS; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054714529819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to analyze the psychometric properties of two screening instruments, Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS) that evaluates childhood ADHD and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scales (ASRS) that assesses symptoms in adulthood, in alcohol-dependent patients.Method: A total of 355 outpatients were included. Conners' adult ADHD diagnostic interview results were used as a gold standard in childhood and adulthood ADHD.Results: The WURS with a 41 cutoff had a sensitivity of 79.6% and a specificity of 60.3%. The ASRS with a 14 cutoff had a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 66.1%. Analyzing both rating scales in combination, it was observed that patients with positive ASRS and WURS presented a sensitivity of 92.3%. Patients with positive ASRS, but negative WURS, presented a specificity of 73.6%.Conclusion: WURS and ASRS are useful tools in the diagnosis of adult ADHD in alcohol-dependent patients; with the use of both instruments, the psychometric properties are substantially improved.