ABSTRACT
Objective. To evaluate the impact of co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with newly diagnosed specific learning disability (SpLD). Methods. From September 2005 to March 2006, 150 parents (either mother or father) of children consecutively diagnosed as having SpLD were enrolled. The Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50® (CHQ-PF50®) was used to measure parent-reported HRQOL. CHQ-PF50® mean domain and summary scores computed for “SpLD/ADHD” and “SpLD only” children groups were compared using Independent Samples t-test. Results. HRQOL of “SpLD/ADHD” children was significantly poorer in four domains: emotional impact on parents (mean difference: -11.0 ; 95% CI: -18.75 – -3.25; P = 0.006), general behavior (-9.61; 95% CI: -15.44 – -3.78; P = 0.002), time impact on parents (-9.51; 95% CI: -18.42 – -0.60; P = 0.038), and, self esteem (-7.62; 95% CI: -13.98 – -1.26; P = 0.020); and in overall psychosocial functioning (-5.34; 95% CI: -8.49 – -2.19; P = 0.001). Conclusion. Co-occurring ADHD adversely impacts the HRQOL of children with newly diagnosed SpLD especially in domains related to their psychosocial functioning.