The Prevalence and Predictors of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children With Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Hospital Authority, Hong Kong

Status: Completed

Conditions: Gastrointestinal Diseases; Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Treatments: Other: Known diagnosis of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03879343

2018.285

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is to examine the gut problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and is conducted by the Department of Psychiatry of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital. Children with ADHD who attend our department will be recruited with their parents/guardians' consent. Only the primary caregiver will be invited for an interview to assess the recruited children's gut problems, autistic features, emotional problems, diet pattern and medical history. The data will be compared with normal children who are recruited as control in local primary schools. The aim of this study is to know whether children with ADHD have higher chance of gut problems, and to assess other factors associated with the linkage.

Enrollment: 142 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 11 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• The study group will be recruited if the following criteria are met:

  1. Aged 6 to 11 years old
  2. Children with a diagnosis of ADHD made by psychiatrists according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder, fifth edition criteria
  3. Currently study in mainstream schools in Hong Kong

The control group will be recruited if the following criteria are met:

1. Age 6 to 11 years old
2. Currently study in mainstream schools in Hong Kong
3. Typically developing in good mental and physical health

Exclusion criteria

• For both groups, the participant will be excluded if the following criterion is met:

  1. Children who are suffering from mental retardation
  2. Children who are suffering from organic illnesses that affect gastrointestinal function
  3. Children who are suffering from severe mental illnesses
  4. Children who have ever received, or are currently on, medication for ADHD
  5. Children who are currently taking medication for illnesses other than ADHD
  6. Primary caregiver does not understand Chinese

Trial design

142 participants in 2 patient groups

Clinical group

Description:

Children aged six to eleven with clinical diagnosis of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder were recruited for interview and completion of questionnaires

Treatment:

Other: Known diagnosis of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder

Control group

Description:

Normally developing children aged six to eleven studying in local mainstream primary schools were recruited for completion of questionnaires