Research view
Title: | An observational study of the characteristics of different substance-use disorder subtypes combined with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
Author: | Khaled S. Sherra , Dalia M. Khalil , Ahmed M. El Melegy |
Abstract: |
Aim
The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics and intensity of the
association between various subtypes of substance-use disorders (SUD) with adult
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and compare this with the
progression of substance use in those without ADHD.
Participants and methods
The study was conducted at the Psychiatric Department, Mansoura University
Hospital. Both inpatients and outpatients who screened positive for any one of the
substances such as alcohol, opioids, amphetamine, or cannabis were approached
to enter the study. Out of these, patients who gave informed consent, satisfied the
inclusion and exclusion criteria, and met the DSM-IV-TR diagnosis for SUD for
dependence or abuse entered the study and completed the patient intake form. A
total of 100 such consecutive patients were screened for symptoms of adult ADHD
by administering the first six questions of part A of the Arabic version of the adult
ADHD self-report scale-VI.I (ASRS-VI.I) symptom checklist. Only the first six
questions that are found to be the most predictive of symptoms were included
for screening. Patients who answered positive for four or more questions were
further interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview of Adult ADHD to make a
diagnosis of adult ADHD in these patients. A total of 97 patients completed all
parts of study questionnaire. The patients were divided and grouped depending on
the type of substance abused, alcohol, opioid, cannabis, amphetamine, or
polysubstance, and whether or not they had comorbid adult ADHD. The results
obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results
The prevalence and course of SUD combined with adult ADHD differed depending
on the primary substance of abuse. Cannabis and alcohol users had a higher
percentage of adult ADHD (36.4 and 33.3%, respectively) compared with other drug
users. Cannabis had the earliest age of onset of SUD at 15 years of age. Cannabis
and amphetamine had a prolonged duration of abuse: 14.87 and 14.7 years,
respectively. Similarly, they had a greater number of hospitalizations (3.82 and
3.88 times, respectively) and an increased duration of stay in the hospital (166.67
and 110 days, respectively) as compared with other drugs. Polysubstance,
cannabis, and amphetamine abusers had more relapses: 3.27, 3.36, and 3.38
times, respectively.
Conclusion
The percentage of ADHD differs among different subgroups of SUD depending on
the primary substance of abuse. Cannabis and amphetamine have a higher
comorbidity, an earlier age of onset, and a more protracted course of SUD in
ADHD patients compared with other drugs.
Keywords:
ADHD, ASRS, DIVA, SUD
|
Journal: | Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry 2017, 38:35–40 |
Text: | |
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