[Assessment of plasma and red blood cells fatty acid composition in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]]

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is one of the most common mental diseases in children. Fatty acids are important components of nerve cell myelin. Essential fatty acid deficiency leads to behavioral abnormalities similar to nervous disorders, such as ADHD. The purpose of this study was to determine the composition of fatty acids in plasma phospholipids and whole erythrocyte in the ADHD boys

Methods: This is a case-control study in which 36 boys with ADHD and 37 boys without ADHD -aged 6-12 years- were participated. ADHD children were diagnosed with clinical diagnosis and psychiatric questionnaires by a psychiatrist. Then fatty acids of plasma phospholipids and whole erythrocyte were extracted

Results: The mean content of sum of saturated fatty acids [P=0.004] and arachidonic acid [P<0.001] of plasma phospholipids were significantly lower and mean concentrations of oleic acid [P<0.001] and sum of monoenes [P<0.001] were significantly higher in the ADHD group compared to the control one. However in the total RBC, the mean concentrations of stearic acid [P=0.003], arachidonic acid [P=0.04] and alpha-linolenic [P=0.02] acid were significantly lower and the mean content of linoleic acid [P=0.01] was significantly higher in the ADHD group compared to the control one

Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and RBC in the ADHD children differed from that of the non-ADHD children

Associated factors with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]: a case-control study

The current study attempted to investigate factors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in children without co-morbidities. In this case-control study, 164 ADHD children who attended the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran were compared with 166 normal children selected in a random-cluster method from primary and secondary schools. Clinical interviews based on DSM-IV-TR using K-SADS were used to diagnose ADHD cases and to select the control group. Participants were matched for age. We used chi-square and binary logistic regression for data analysis. Among the associated factors with ADHD were gender and maternal employment. Boys [OR 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.34-0.86] and those children with working mothers [OR 0.16: 95% confidence interval: 0.06-0.86] suffered more from ADHD. The birth season, family size, birth order, and parental kinship were not among risk factors for ADHO. The results of the study show that maternal employment and male gender are among the associated risk factors for ADHD

Tourette's syndrome, chronic tics, and comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary students

This study estimated the true prevalence of chronic motor and vocal tic disorders, and Tourette's syndrome in students as well as its comorbidity with attention deficit deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]. A random clustered sample of elementary students was selected from schools in Tabriz, Iran. Students were screened by Conner's teacher rating scale for ADHD and a detailed history from parents and teachers for the presence of any type of tic was obtained. Next, a clinical interview based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version [K-SADS-PL], and an interview with parents lead to the definitive diagnosis. A total of 1658 children were evaluated. Vocal tic was observed in 3.2% [ +/- SD = 0.02] students, and was more prevalent in boys. ADHD was diagnosed in 45.5% of these students. Motor tic was observed in 7.3% [ +/- SD = 0.02] of students. Almost half [48.1%] of these students had ADHD. Tourette's syndrome was observed in 1.3% [ +/- SD = 0.01], with a male/female ratio of 3.5:1. This is the first study to provide the prevalence of chronic tics in elementary school students in Iran. ADHD is more common among students with chronic tics and Tourette's syndrome

Association of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and traffic injuries in Tabriz - Iran

Nowadays, it is well known that the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is not confined to children and adolescents. Recent data showed that a considerable portion of the general adult population may be affected by ADHD. On the other hand, the impact of ADHD on driving performance, a major area of adult life, has gained enthusiasm. More recent studies revealed an association between adult ADHD and undesirable driving problems. This study was performed to determine the association between presence of adult ADHD and traffic injuries. In this case-control study, in a 13 month period, 140 subjects [70 drivers/riders injured in traffic accidents, and 70 age- and sex-matched non traumatic controls] were selected to participate in the study and were placed in two groups. Subjects with psychiatric comorbidities were excluded. The Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale [CAARS] self-report [screening version] was used for screening adult ADHD in both groups. Finally, the occurrence of this condition was compared between the case and control groups. Sixty- nine males and one female were recruited in each group with a mean age of 29.31 +/- 9.32 [18-61] years in the case and 29.03 +/- 9.07 [range: 18-60] years in the control groups [P > 0.05]. Previous history of traffic accident was significantly higher in the case group [15.7% vs. 4.3%, P=0.024]. The mean driving time in a day was also significantly higher in the case group. In the case group, the scores of CAARS [the ADHD index, ADHD symptoms total, inattentive subscale and hyperactive/impulsive subscale] were positive [higher than 70] in 4.3, 10, 7.1 and 10 percent of patients respectively. Among the controls, the corresponding proportions were 4.3, 14.3, 8.6 and 8.6 percent respectively. The two groups were comparable for the mentioned rates. The results of this study revealed no significant association between ADHD and traffic injuries in Tabriz- Iran