Deficits in Diagnosis, Treatment and Continuity of Care in African-American Children and Adolescents with ADHD. RESULTS

Posted by James

There was no significant difference in the mean age of diagnosis (African Americans: 7.36 years; Caucasians: 7.25 years) or the mean age of symptom onset (African Americans: 4.0 years; Caucasians: 4.4 years). The comorbidities reported were similar for both groups (Table 1). There were fewer African-American parents (n=4) who could identify a relative with ADHD than Caucasian parents (n=12; %²=5.31, p<0.03), We found no differences between the two groups for pharmacological treatments recommended, outcomes or compliance (Tables 2-4). The average number of days between visits for African-American patients (74.02) was significantly longer than that for Caucasians (50.23) (SD 26, p<0.05).

Table 1. Comorbid disorders

		African Americans	Caucasians
	Total	(n=28)	(n=29)	x2
Depression	25	12	13	NS
Suicidal ideation	12	8	4	NS
Acts of aggression	36	21	15	NS
Self-injury	17	9	8	NS
Gen. anxiety/separation anxiety	23	10	13	NS
Psychosis	7	5	2	NS
Homicidal ideation	2	2	0	NS
Obsessive-compulsive disorder	3	0	3	NS
Panic disorder	3	1	2	NS
Substance abuse	3	1	2	NS

Table 2. Recommended medications
atomoxetine hydrochloride

African Americans Caucasians (n=28)            (n=24)     x2
Methylphenidate	12	12	NS
Adderall	15	16	NS
Positive responses to methylphenidate	10	13	NS
Positive responses to Adderall	9	14	NS
No response to methylphenidate	2	1	NS
No response to Adderall	6	CM	NS
Not using medication	1	1	NS

Table 3. Outcome of psychostimulant treatment

African Americans	Caucasians
(n=23)	(n=20)	x2
Positive results       19	25	NS
No change           8	CO	NS
Symptoms worse    0	0	NS
Never took            1	1	NS

Table 4. Compliance treatment

	n	African Americans (n=28)	Caucasians (n=29)	x2
Consistent compliance	33	16	17	NS
Episodic compliance	9	4	5	NS
Consistent Noncompliance	7	4	со	NS
Unknown/NA	CO	3	5	NS