What single reports from children and parents aggregate to attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder diagnoses in epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze information on attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and its consequences, provided separately or in combination by children and their parents in a longitudinal prospective study of 9-15 year-old children from the general population.

METHOD

Cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiological indexes were compared for single and multiple reports. We evaluated which informant is required for the identification of each DSM-IV criterion. Logistic regressions determined which features were related with the reporting of the "absence" of symptoms.

RESULTS

Both informants were required in order to obtain complete psychopathological profiles. Single reports provide infra-estimated prevalences (between 8.8 and 22.9% of ADHD and between 1.7 and 7.6% of ODD), risks (around 3% for ADHD and 2% for ODD) and comorbidities. Psychological and functional measures analyzed in the study were relatively similar for cases presenting ADHD/ODD diagnosis, regardless of the diagnostic algorithm (based on single or combined reports); however, these clinical profiles were different to those obtained for non-diagnosed children. The main predictors of not reporting the presence of psychopathology were: large families (OR between 2 and 2.5), children that are conflictive at school (OR ranging between 1.3 and 4.3) or those with poor mental health (OR between 1.1 and 1.6).

CONCLUSIONS

These results may provide guidance for obtaining accurate diagnostic information, properly identifying children with mental health needs and planning the required preventive and corrective measures.