Adolescents with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at higher risk for a range of behavioral and medical concerns. So, they require more and better monitoring of their health.
Teens with a history of ADHD are at enhanced risk for various adverse health outcomes, including sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), mental health conditions, and car accidents, according to the study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics>. Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) wanted to better understand how primary care doctors addressed these risks with patients as they transitioned from childhood to young adulthood.
‘Screening for suicidal risk and depression, proper education, counseling could reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes in teens with a history of ADHD.’
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They found that although doctors generally discuss depression, substance abuse, and suicide risk with patients who have a history of ADHD, they rarely discuss safe driving with them and most of the time they do not monitor patients for risky sexual behavior. Read More..
This is the first study to examine the clinical practices of primary care clinicians as children with ADHD advance through adolescence.
Although between 30% and 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD no longer meet full criteria for the disorder by late adolescence, those diagnosed before age 10 are at an increased risk for a variety of behavioral and medical concerns throughout adolescence.
Yet of the 262 patients with a history of ADHD studied, the CHOP team found driving readiness was discussed in only two instances, and sexual health risks were discussed with only 47% of youth.
“These findings identify opportunities to improve the care of adolescents with a history of ADHD,” said Thomas Power, PhD, ABPP, senior author and Director of the Center for Management of ADHD at CHOP.
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For example, our previous research shows teens with ADHD are more likely to be involved in a car accident particularly in the first month after receiving their driver’s license, so this is definitely an issue that should be discussed with our patients.”
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“We have found that clinicians are more skilled in addressing ADHD in childhood than in adolescence,” said Power. “Additional resources and training are needed so we can ensure primary care clinicians are providing the best care for patients with ADHD as they develop through their teenage years.”
Source-Newswise