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ADHD symptoms across the lifespan in a population-based Swedish sample aged 65 to 80
Author(s)Taina Guldberg-Kjar, Sally Sehlin, Boo Johansson
Journal titleInternational Psychogeriatrics, vol 25, no 4, April 2013
PublisherCambridge University Press, April 2013
Pagespp 667-675
Sourcejournals.cambridge.org/ipg
KeywordsBehaviour disorders ; Symptoms ; Diagnosis ; Life span ; Children ; Age groups [elderly].
AnnotationThe purpose of the study was to examine attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology across the lifespan by comparing older individuals' self-reports about current ADHD symptoms and symptoms in childhood. The 25-item Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) was initially administered in a population-based sample of 1,599 persons aged 65_80 years. The study also examined current health, memory and problems in childhood. Based on their WURS scores (below and above 36), the study randomly drew two subsamples, each with 30 individuals. They were followed up by the Wender Riktad ADHD Symtom Skala (WRASS)-scale, a Swedish version of the Targeted Attention Deficit Disorder Rating Scale (TADDS). The main finding of this study was that higher WURS scores were significantly related to higher scores on the WRASS scale, indicating persistence of self-reported ADHD symptoms over the whole lifespan. Among those with a WURS score of 36 or more, 16 (53.3%) individuals scored 70 or more, the clinical cut-off used in Sweden. None of the individuals with a WURS score below 36 scored higher than 70 on the WRASS scale. These findings support the idea of a significant persistence of ADHD symptoms from childhood to old age. The results encourage studies of ADHD using a lifespan perspective, particularly in examining ADHD symptoms in old age. (JL).
Accession NumberCPA-130315228 A
ClassmarkEP: CT: LK7: BG6: SBC: BB

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