Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders in Hong Kong Chinese Children With ADHD.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of anxiety disorders in Chinese children with ADHD.

METHOD: Overall, 120 children with ADHD aged 6 to 12 years were recruited, and the parent version of computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Version 4 was administrated to their primary caretakers.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of anxiety disorders was 27.5%, which is consistent with the reports of previous Asian and Western studies. Among the children with ADHD and anxiety disorders, more than 50% of them also had comorbid oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (ODD/CD), which yielded an adjusted odds ratio of 3.0 in multivariable analysis for anxiety disorder, with comorbid ODD/CD. In addition, anxiety disorders were positively associated with inattention symptoms in children with both disorders.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should perform screening and careful assessment for anxiety symptoms in children with ADHD, particularly those suffering from comorbid ODD/CD.