Screening for adult ADHD using brief rating tools: What can we conclude from a positive screen? Some caveats.

Screening for adult ADHD using brief rating tools: What can we conclude from a positive screen? Some caveats.

 Chamberlain SR, Cortese S, Grant JE.

 Compr Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 1;106:152224. doi:

10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152224.

Commentary* by Dr. Margaret Weiss: Screening in the absence of full diagnostic evaluation can lead to over-treatment and mistreatment. Successful screening in primary care must be complemented by training in providing a full diagnostic assessment, or access to referral to a specialist.

ABSTRACT

Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prevalent but often overlooked and undertreated. Left untreated, it is linked to increased risk of untoward outcomes including unemployment, relationship breakups, substance use, driving accidents and other mental health conditions.

Several brief screening tools have been developed for adult ADHD. The most frequently used is the World Health Organization’s Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS V1.1).

Here, we show in two independent population samples (UK: N = 642, USA: N = 579) that the tool resulted in considerable overestimation of ADHD, indicating probable ADHD in 26.0% and 17.3% of participants, as compared to expected prevalence of 2.5%. The estimated positive predictive value was only ~11.5%. Both samples had normal levels of trait impulsivity as assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. The data indicate that using the ASRS in general population samples will result in 7-10 times over-identification of ADHD.

We use these results to highlight how such tools should most appropriately be used. When being used to determine possible cases (such as for onward referral to an ADHD specialist) they should be complemented by clinical assessment – we give examples of how non-specialists might determine this.

When measuring ADHD symptoms dimensionally, researchers should be mindful that the ASRS captures impulsive symptoms other than those due to ADHD. Lastly, we note the need to screen for impulse control disorders (e.g., gambling disorder) when using such tools to measure ADHD, be it for onward referral, or for dimensional research studies.

* Les résumés scientifiques (abstracts) sont sélectionnés pour leur pertinence clinique par Dre. Margaret Weiss, Directrice de la recherche clinique, pédopsychiatrie, Cambridge Health Alliance, Université Harvard. Ses commentaires reflètent sa propre opinion. Ils ne sont ni approuvés par la CADDRA, ni nécessairement représentatifs de celle-ci.