Abstract
Objectives
To provide psychometric information on the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) in a large population of children with ADHD.
Methods
Patients aged 6–18 years (n=1,478 in baseline analysis) were rated by 244 physicians on the ADHD-RS-IV based on a semistructured interview with the patient's parent. Physicians additionally rated functional impairment (CGAS) and health status (CGI-S), and parents rated their child's behavioural and emotional problems (SDQ) and quality of life (CHIPCE).
Results
Inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity as dimensions of ADHD were replicated. 3-factor solutions reflecting the ICD-10 definition, with hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention as separate dimensions were extracted in some national sub-samples and in separate analyses for boys and younger children.Good internal consistencies, strong country effects and small effects of age were found. Based on ADHD-RS-IV, 88.5% of patients met the criteria for any ADHD diagnosis. Correlations between ADHD-RS-IV and measures of functional impairment were low but statistically significant. The correlations with SDQ and CHIPCE scales confirm the convergent and divergent validity of ADHDRS-IV.
Conclusions
Impressive evidence for the cross-cultural factorial validity, internal consistency as well as convergent and divergent validity of ADHD-RS-IV was found. ADHD can be assessed reliably and validly in routine care across Europe. The ICD-10 3-factor model seems to be less robust than the DSM-IV 2-factor model, but may be a good description for special populations (boys, younger children).
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Abbreviations
- ADHD:
-
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- ADORE:
-
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder Observational Research in Europe
- ADHD-RS-IV:
-
ADHD Rating Scale-IV
- CHIP-CE:
-
Child Health and Illness Profile – Child Edition
- CGAS:
-
Children's Global Assessment Scale
- CGI-S:
-
Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale
- SDQ:
-
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
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* Members of the ADORE Study Group G Baldursson, D Coghill, P Curatolo, S Dalsgaard, M Döpfner, B Falissard, A Hervas, MF Le Heuzey, TS Nøvik, RR Pereira, U Preuss, S Ralston, P Rasmussen, AW Riley, A Rothenberger, G Spiel, HC Steinhausen, L Vlasveld
** Employed by Eli Lilly & Co. at the time the research was performed
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Döpfner, M., Steinhausen, HC., Coghill, D. et al. Cross-cultural reliability and validity of ADHD assessed by the ADHD Rating Scale in a pan-European study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 15 (Suppl 1), i46–i55 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-1007-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-1007-8