Variation in Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Children and Adolescents With ADHD Across European Countries. Issue 10 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Setyawan, Juliana; Fridman, Moshe; Grebla, Regina; Harpin, Valerie; Korst, Lisa M.; Quintero, Javier
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 22:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 911
• Page End: 923
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: ADHD -- diagnosis -- management -- Europe -- variation; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054715597410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: To characterize differences in presentation, diagnosis, and management of children/adolescents with ADHD in six European countries.Method: Physicians abstracted clinical records for patients aged 6 to 17 years, diagnosed from 2004 to 2007 and treated for ≥2 years. Documentation included impairment due to core ADHD symptoms and additional ADHD symptoms/behaviors at diagnosis, diagnostic approach, and treatment modality.Results: Study included 779 patients treated by 340 physicians. Prevalence of ADHD subtypes (inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or combined) was similar across countries. Mean scores for core and noncore symptom impairment varied and were highest in Italy and the United Kingdom. Variability was noted in diagnostic approach; 95% of physicians in the Netherlands used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) criteria versus 10% in Germany. Differences were reported for initial treatment modality, treatment switching, and physician-reported treatment outcomes.Conclusion: European countries varied in diagnostic approaches and practice management of children/adolescents with ADHD.