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Exploring ADHD age-of-onset criterion in Brazilian adolescents

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Abstract

 Objective: To explore age-of-onset criterion for the diagnosis of attention–deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a school sample of young Brazilian adolescents.

Methods: 191 students aged 12 to 14 years were evaluated using DSM-IV ADHD criteria, measures of ADHD symptoms and global impairment.

Results: Both adolescents with ADHD (n=30) and adolescents who fulfilled all DSM-IV ADHD criteria, except age of onset of impairment criterion (ADHD w/o age-of-onset, n=27) had significantly higher scores on Attention Problems, Delinquent and Aggressive Behavior scales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and lower scores on the Child Global Assessment scale (CGAS) than non-ADHD adolescents (n=134). Adolescents with ADHD and youths with ADHD w/o age-of-onset did not differ significantly in any measure assessed.

Conclusion: These results concur with recent literature proposing revision of the age-of-onset criterion for the diagnosis of ADHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Serviço de Psiquiatria da Infância e Adolescência Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Rua Ramiro Barcellos 2350 Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003 Brazil E-mail: lrohde@zaz.com.br, , , , , , BR

    L. A. Rohde, H. Zimmermann, M. Schmitz, S. Martins & S. Tramontina

  2. Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Mass. General Hospital, , , , ,

    J. Biederman

Authors
  1. L. A. Rohde
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  2. J. Biederman
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  3. H. Zimmermann
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  4. M. Schmitz
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  5. S. Martins
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  6. S. Tramontina
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Accepted: 22 February 2000

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Rohde, L., Biederman, J., Zimmermann, H. et al. Exploring ADHD age-of-onset criterion in Brazilian adolescents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 9, 212–218 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007870070045

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007870070045

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