Nahid Ashjazadeh1, Ali Sahraeian2, Iman Sabzgolin3, Ali A Asadi-Pooya4. 1. Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: sahraian@sums.ac.ir. 3. Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 4. Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: aliasadipooya@yahoo.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult people with epilepsy (PWE). We hypothesized that ADHD is common among adult PWE and, some clinical factors may be associated with ADHD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 200 adult PWE referred to our neurology clinic at Shiraz, Iran were recruited (consecutively sampled). Validated Persian versions of Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) tests were used. We performed univariate analyses and also a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (41%) were male, and 118 (59%) were female. Seventy patients (35%) had a positive screen for ADHD. There was a significant association between cognitive function and the prevalence of positive screening for ADHD in the whole group; 19 (18%) of the patients with a normal cognition, 23 (42%) of those with mild impairment, and 28 (70%) of those with severe cognitive impairment screened positive for ADHD (p = 0.0001). One hundred and five patients had normal cognition and were studied separately. Nineteen patients (18%) had screened positive for ADHD. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was not associated with any of the tested variables in these patients. CONCLUSION: About one-fifth of adults with epilepsy and normal cognitive function may have a positive screen for ADHD. Routine screening of all PWE for early detection and appropriate management of ADHD would be a reasonable approach.
PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult people with epilepsy (PWE). We hypothesized that ADHD is common among adult PWE and, some clinical factors may be associated with ADHD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 200 adult PWE referred to our neurology clinic at Shiraz, Iran were recruited (consecutively sampled). Validated Persian versions of Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) tests were used. We performed univariate analyses and also a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (41%) were male, and 118 (59%) were female. Seventy patients (35%) had a positive screen for ADHD. There was a significant association between cognitive function and the prevalence of positive screening for ADHD in the whole group; 19 (18%) of the patients with a normal cognition, 23 (42%) of those with mild impairment, and 28 (70%) of those with severe cognitive impairment screened positive for ADHD (p = 0.0001). One hundred and five patients had normal cognition and were studied separately. Nineteen patients (18%) had screened positive for ADHD. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was not associated with any of the tested variables in these patients. CONCLUSION: About one-fifth of adults with epilepsy and normal cognitive function may have a positive screen for ADHD. Routine screening of all PWE for early detection and appropriate management of ADHD would be a reasonable approach.