Characteristics of ADHD among Omani schoolchildren using DSM-IV: descriptive study

Parental consanguinity among patients with schizophrenia in a rural community of South India: A clinical and genetic investigation

BACKGROUND

Studies from certain regions of the world indicate that consanguineous marriages are a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia in offspring. However the evidence is inconsistent partly due to methodological limitation of which hospital based recruitment contributing to significant bias. The studies from the Indian subcontinent, is scarce, where rates of consanguinity is high.

METHODS

The schizophrenia patients living in a geographically defined rural south Indian community and randomly selected controls dwelling in the same community sharing sociocultural, economic and lifestyle factors were recruited. They were assessed for parental consanguinity using the clinical interviews as well as DNA-based estimates. The latter was conducted by calculating the coefficient of inbreeding 'f'. A participant was considered to have consanguineous parentage if his/her parents shared a common ancestor no more remote than a great-great-grandparent, corresponding to DNA-based estimates of 'f' ≥ 0.0156.

RESULTS

The rates of parental consanguinity assessed by clinical interview were comparable in both groups (Cases: 10.71 %, Controls: 7.25 %; χ² = 0.493, p = 0.4825). However, DNA-based rates of parental consanguinity showed that 'f' was significantly higher among cases than controls (Mann-Whitney U = 11315.5; p = 0.022). Seventy-five cases (62.5 %) and 108 control participants (48.6 %) had 'f' ≥ 0.0156 (χ² = 6.008; p = 0.014). The results were consistent across different quality control measures.

CONCLUSION

Schizophrenia is associated with higher parental consanguinity, suggesting a role for multiple recessive risk alleles in its etiology. Replication in future studies in diverse settings would add further strength to this.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among elementary students in rural China: Prevalence, correlates, and consequences

BACKGROUND

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widely recognized mental health problem in developed countries but remains under-investigated in developing settings. This study examines the prevalence, correlates, and consequences of ADHD symptoms among elementary school students in rural China.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected from 6,719 students across 120 rural primary schools in China on ADHD symptoms, demographic characteristics, and academic performance in reading and math. ADHD symptoms were evaluated using the caregiver-reported ADHD Rating Scale-IV.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ADHD symptoms was 7.5% in our sample. Male students, students in lower grade levels, and students with lower cognitive ability showed a significantly higher prevalence of ADHD symptoms (ORs = 2.56, 2.06, and 1.84, respectively; p<0.05). Left-behind children showed a significantly lower prevalence of ADHD symptoms than did children who were living with their parents (OR = 0.74, p < 0.05). Adjusted regressions show that students with ADHD symptoms scored 0.12 standardized deviations lower in reading (p < 0.05) and 0.19 standardized deviations lower in math (p < 0.01).

LIMITATIONS

The ADHD Rating Scale-IV is a screening scale rather than a diagnostic test. Caregiver self-report measures also may underestimate ADHD symptoms for our sample.

CONCLUSIONS

ADHD is a common disorder among rural students in China and appears to be contributing to poor academic outcomes. The higher prevalence of ADHD among students with low cognitive ability also suggests that many rural children in China face multifactorial learning challenges. Taken together, the findings indicate a need for educators and policymakers in rural China to develop programs to reduce risk and support students with ADHD symptoms.

ADHD Research in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review of Literature

OBJECTIVE

No systematic reviews could be identified in the literature that address ADHD research in Arab countries. In an attempt to help fill this gap, this systematic review was undertaken.

METHOD

An electronic literature search of ADHD studies carried out in Arab countries was done by using Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and Arabpsynet.

RESULTS

The search yielded 58 studies (10 studies on psychoeducational and social aspects of ADHD, 26 prevalence studies and two reviews of epidemiology of ADHD, and 22 studies on risk factors and comorbidities in ADHD).

CONCLUSION

Although there has been an increase in ADHD research in Arab countries in recent years, this research remains relatively sparse and used methods and procedures that limit the generalizability of the findings.

Predictors of Burden of Care Among Caregivers of Drug-Naive Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Cross-Sectional Correlative Study From Muscat, Oman

OBJECTIVE

the study assessed the prevalence of burden of care among caregivers of children with ADHD in Oman. A related aim is to explore the predictors of the burden of care, subtypes of ADHD, and socio-demographic factors.

METHOD

Arabic version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was administered to 117 caregivers of drug-naive children with ADHD. Sociodemographic background and clinical data were gathered from medical records and from the attending caregivers themselves. The ADHD symptoms were grouped under three categories : hyperactive, inattentive, or mixed.

RESULTS

the prevalence of the burden of care was estimated to be 34%. Income levels and the child's ADHD diagnosis being of "mixed" type have significant impact on the burden of care.

CONCLUSION

the results of this study indicate that the prevalence of the burden of care among the caregivers of ADHD children in Oman is comparable with that in the other regions of the world.

The Prevalence of ADHD in Fayoum City (Egypt) Among School-Age Children: Depending on a DSM-5-Based Rating Scale

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we created a new valid rating scale to estimate the prevalence of ADHD among school-age children in Fayoum City.

METHOD

We conducted two consequential studies (Studies 1 and 2). In Study 1, the sample comprised 106 children. The ages of the sample participants ranged between 6 and 14 years. The purpose of that study was to validate a new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5)-based ADHD rating scale. In Study 2, the sample consisted of 420 children with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years. We used the new rating scale to estimate the prevalence of ADHD.

RESULTS

The first study showed that the new rating scale for ADHD was valid. The second study revealed that the prevalence of ADHD in Fayoum City was 20.5%, with 33.8% among boys and 6.8% among girls.

CONCLUSION

We validated a new ADHD rating scale and estimated the prevalence of ADHD in Fayoum City for the first time in Egypt.

Prevalence of ADHD in Qatari School-Age Children

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this quantitative survey study is to provide current accurate estimates of the number of students with ADHD in Qatar Independent and English Medium Private Schools, so that adequate support will be available to assist in the educational growth and development of these students.

METHOD

This cross-sectional descriptive study of teacher observational ratings used a standardized rating scale. Teachers completed the SNAP-IV. Rating Scales for more than 5,000 students from Qatar Independent Schools and private English Medium Schools between November 2011 and November 2012 in Qatar Grades 1 through 12.

RESULTS

Results align with and extend the previous study of ADHD in Qatar and the current worldwide prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced analyses were conducted to identify differences between age groups, genders, and between Private and Independent Schools. Implications for teachers, administrators, and medical personnel are discussed.

Profile of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Among Preschoolers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of mental and behavioral disorders in preschoolers is critical for a better prognosis, ultimately leading to improved quality of life for both the child and the family. Our study investigated the clinical profile of mental and behavioral disorders in children < 7 years of age, seeking consultation at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between 1 June 2006 and 31 December 2010. The objective was to explore demographic variables, intervention types, and annual trends.

METHODS

This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted by reviewing the electronic records of preschoolers seeking consultation on mental and behavioral disorders at the Department of Behavioral Medicine. The diagnosis was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria.

RESULTS

The total number of cases was 466, the majority (77.9%) being boys. The cumulative frequencies and annual hospital-based prevalence rates were estimated for each category of mental and behavioral disorders. Our findings showed increased service utilization among preschoolers, as reflected in the annual trend and case-specific prevalence rates. While comorbidity was common, the most frequent disorders encountered were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (70.8%), developmental language disorder (23.6%), autism spectrum disorders (20.2%), and disruptive behavior disorders (11.6%). The most commonly prescribed drugs/supplementation were risperidone (18.7%), atomoxetine (9.7%), omega-3 (8.8%), and methylphenidate (6.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Consultations for mental and behavioral disorders are being sought for Omani preschoolers. Beside pharmacotherapy, other interventions, which are an integral part of a much desired multidisciplinary approach should be introduced. Readdressing the missing needs is essential for a comprehensive approach to managing mental and behavioral disorders.

Two-phase survey to determine social anxiety and gender differences in Omani adolescents

INTRODUCTION

There is a lack of studies examining the effectiveness of some of the commonly used instruments to elicit the presence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in Arab-speaking populations, such as those in Oman. The aim of this study was to establish the influence of social anxiety and the role of gender among Omani adolescents.

METHODS

A two-phase protocol was used, entailing the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) against the gold standard, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

RESULTS

According to DSM and LSAS, the prevalence of social phobia among Omani students was generally higher compared to what has been reported in other parts of the world and the crosstabs analysis showed a significant correlation between gender and SAD.

DISCUSSION

The Arabic version of LSAS proved to be an effective tool for assessing and quantifying the presence of SAD. This study discusses the sociocultural factors affecting social phobia in Omani society.