Is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder over-represented among HIV-seronegative boys with haemophilia? Preliminary results from our centre

Haemophilia. 2003 Sep;9(5):593-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2516.2003.00790.x.

Abstract

Haemophilia care providers report anecdotally that many boys under their care bear the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study investigated the hypothesis that ADHD is over-represented among boys with haemophilia. All the boys with haemophilia, aged 5-14 years, who receive their comprehensive care at our centre were solicited to participate in this study. Of the 78 eligible boys, 34 (44%) were successfully contacted and agreed to participate. All participants were HIV-negative on both serological and PCR-based assays. The presence of ADHD symptoms was established via a parent- and teacher-completed standardized rating instrument. On the parent-rating scale, 26% of the participants exceeded the cut-off for inattentive ADHD, 18% for hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, and 18% for combined. On the teacher rating scale, 4% of the participants exceeded the cut-off for inattentive ADHD, but no participants were rated as having extreme hyperactive/impulsive or combined ADHD symptoms. Retrospectively, 29% of the participants had previously been diagnosed with ADHD, all treated with stimulant medications. Of note, 38% of our participants were enrolled in special education programmes. All of the above were more common in boys with haemophilia compared with national controls. A chart review of non-participating patients from the same clinic suggested that sampling bias is unlikely to account for these differences. These results provide the first empirical evidence that ADHD may be over-represented among boys with haemophilia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / etiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • Hemophilia A / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics