ADHD Symptoms Increase Injury Risk in Fifth Graders

Symptoms found to increase injury risk among fifth graders more than conduct disorder symptoms

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) symptoms in fifth graders is associated with injury risk, although in multivariable analysis the association only remains significant for ADHD symptoms, according to a study published in the September issue of Academic Pediatrics.

David C. Schwebel, Ph.D., from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues investigated the association between symptoms of ADHD and CD and their association with injury risk among fifth graders, and whether this association is multiplicative or additive. Data were collected from 4,745 fifth graders and their primary caregivers to assess injury frequency. ADHD and CD symptoms were the primary independent variables. Covariates included gender, race/ethnicity, and household income.

The investigators found that the odds of injury increased significantly with an increase in ADHD symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.29) and CD symptoms (OR, 1.18) in bivariate analysis. A multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between ADHD symptoms and injury (OR, 1.22). The interaction between ADHD and CD symptoms was not significant.

"In multivariate analysis, ADHD symptoms appear to be more strongly associated with injury than are CD symptoms. The bivariate association of CD symptoms with injury may be due in part or whole to comorbid ADHD symptoms," the authors write.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Powered by