Exploring different information sources for DSM-1V ADHD diagnoses in Brazilian adolescents

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore the agreement between parents' and adolescents' reports for the diagnoses of DSM-IVAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a school sample of young Brazilian adolescents. The method was to evaluate 191 students, aged 12 to 14 years, using the DSM-1V ADHD criteria, the Attention Problems scales of the Children Behavior Checklist-Parent Report Form (CBCL) and Teacher Report Form (TRF). The results showed that agreement between parents and adolescents for DSM-IVADHD diagnosis was low (k = 0.45; C1₉₅% = 0.31-0.59). Based on parents' or adolescents' reports, 100% of the ADHD adolescents (30 youths) were identified. Using parents exclusively as the information source, 87% of the cases (26 youths) were detected. Independently of the information source used, the youths with ADHD scored significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control group of adolescents in the Attention Problems scales of both CBCL and TRE These results support the appropriateness of the combined use of information gathered from adolescents or parents for the diagnosis of ADHD in epidemiological studies with young adolescents, and extend to other cultures the previous findings from North-American samples.

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