The evaluation of anxiety, depression and quality of life scores of children and adolescents with familial Mediterranean fever.

This study aimed to evaluate the anxiety, depression and quality of life scores of children and adolescents diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and compare these scores with the ones of healthy controls. The study group comprised of 130 children and adolescents diagnosed with FMF with a mean age of 12.6 ± 2.58 and control group comprised of 121 healthy controls with a mean age of 11.8 ± 2.84. Both groups were evaluated with child depression inventory (CDI), screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders (SCARED), pediatric quality of life inventory TM 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0) questionnaires. The severity of FMF was assessed by Pras scoring system as mild, moderate and severe disease. The comparisons of these three subgroups of FMF were made in terms of anxiety, depression and quality of life. Children and adolescents with FMF had significantly higher median scores of anxiety than healthy controls. The median scores of depression and quality of life were similar between both groups. Patients with a depression score of 19 or above had significantly higher scores of anxiety and longer duration of disease than the patients with a depression score below 19. While the patients with a severe course of FMF had higher median scores of depression and anxiety, they had significantly lower median scores of quality of life. According to our evaluation, patients with FMF had higher anxiety scores and as the disease become severe, not only anxiety scores but also features of depression become overt. An early apprehension of the mood changes of these patients may have a positive influence in the management of FMF. So, a close collaboration between child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatric rheumatologist is essential for all over well-being of children and adolescents with FMF.

Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Conduct Problems in Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies focus on the potential factors that increase the potantial risks of obesity in children and adolescents. According to research for the past years, one of the factors that increases the risk of obesity may be attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We hypothesized that overweight/obese children and adolescents that apply to pediatric endocrinology for treatment would be at higher risk for ADHD symptoms. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of 55 children and adolescents aged between 6-14 years with body mass index greater than 95th percentile and 37 nonobese control group. Sociodemographic form, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and The Turgay Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale has been used. RESULTS: The rates of inattentive subtype, hyperactivity/impulsivity subtype, and the combined type in the subject group were 10.9%, 3.6% and 7.3%, respectively. The rates of inattentive subtype, hyperactivity/impulsivity subtype were 5.4%, 2.7%, respectively, in the nonobese group. In terms of SDQ scores, peer problems subscale scores were significantly higher in the subject group than the control group (5.13±1.24 vs 4.32±1.18, p=0.003). According to the binary regression analysis, having peer problems was found to be significantly related to being obese (Exp B (OR): 3.3, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that obese children and adolescents have higher rates of ADHD symptoms and problems in peer relations. Underestimation of ADHD might be a risk factor for treatment failure in obesity since ADHD symptoms cause a lack of motivation and compliance.

Comparing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Singly and Together in Terms of Behavioral Problems, Family Conflict, and Cognitive Functions.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to profile three groups of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and both ADHD and ODD, through analyzing their cognitive abilities, personality traits, and family characteristics. METHODS: The study included 60 patients, with 20 patients in each group. Patients were selected according to the DSM IV criteria. They completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test, and their mothers filled out the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in picture completion, block design, and coding, which are the WISC-R subtests, between the three groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in verbal, performance, and WISC-R scores. Finally, there was no significant difference when the subdivisions of the CBCL externalizing and internalizing behaviors were analyzed individually. The Frequency of Marital Conflict Score and Conflict Expansion Score were analyzed, and there were no significant differences found between the three groups. The highest average of the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test was in the ODD group, whereas the lowest average was in the ADHD group. CONCLUSION: When comparing ADHD and ODD in terms of cognitive abilities, the observed differences may be because ODD has no genetic or organic component, and ADHD has an organic basis. In ODD, cognitive abilities are intact, which should underline the environmental and family factors.