Epidemiological Study on Subtypes of ADHD of Children Aged 4-16 Years Old in Wuhan / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To get the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and in Children. Methods:The subjects were 2188 children who were 4~16 year-old in Wuhan. We had their parents filled the investigation forms. Diagnosis was made according to criterion of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in DSM-IV. Results:of behavior problems were got through Achenbach Behavior Questionnaires. Those who were diagnosed as ADHD were classified into three subtypes: predominantly inattentive type; predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type and com-bined type. All suspicious patient and their parents were invited to have the diagnostic talk. Results: (1) The rate of ADHD was 13.58%. ADHD-C, 2.63%; ADHD-I, 8.27%; ADHD-HI, 2.68%. The male, 18.57%; female,8.78%. The ratio of male: female was 2.24:1。(2) There was significantly difference of rate of ADHD between age groups. The rate of 4~5 years-old was 15.88%, that for 6~11 years-old was 15.85%; and for 12~16 yeas-old, 9.98%. The rate of ADHD decreased by aging, especially the group of ADHD-HI. But the rate of ADHD-I was still increased, especially the male group of 6~11 years-old, 12.19%. (3) There was significantly difference of sociality ability between ADHD children and the normal. (4) No matter which age and sex, the scales of behavior problem of ADHD children were higher than the normal children. And the number of factors of behavior problem of ADHD children increased by ag-ing.Conclusion: The rate of ADHD-I was the highest in the three subtypes defined by DSM-Ⅳ, especially among boys 6~11-years-old. The rate of ADHD is significantly associated with sex and age.