Use of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in a child and adolescent sample: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Interpersonal negotiation skills (INS) comprise actions used to solve social situations between interacting individuals involving different needs or desires. These abilities are part of one's social competence and may be impaired in some psychiatric conditions. There are few validated psychometric tools for measuring INS in the literature. This pilot study aimed to investigate some basic psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in children and adolescents. METHODS: We developed a new version of the INSI adapted to the Brazilian culture using eight different dilemmas in dyadic situations (with peers and adults), presented visually as drawings on cards. A group of psychologists and psychiatrists chose and adapted the dilemmas formerly proposed by the original version. The same scoring criteria as for the original instrument were used. A total of 20 children and adolescents were included in this pilot study. We investigated test reliability using measures of interrater reliability, test-retest, and internal consistency. The content validity of the INSI was also evaluated by comparison with scores from the Child Behavior Checklist-Revised (CBCL). RESULTS: Internal consistency and test-retest evaluations were acceptable (rater 1: α = 0.77; rater 2: α = 0.72); the reliability of the instrument was excellent (K = 0.078; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.97-0.99); and content validity was strongly significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that this version of the INSI has good interrater reliability and internal consistency and constitutes a promising tool to assess social competence.

Interpersonal negotiation skills in ADHD.

Social interaction difficulties are amongst the most prevalent and pervasive adverse outcomes for children and adolescents with ADHD. Problem-solving strategies are impaired in affected individuals, according to the literature. This study aimed to investigate the social problem-solving skills of children and adolescents with and without ADHD, using objective quantitative measures provided by the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI). Since verbal communication skills and working memory may be impaired in ADHD, we investigated their contribution to the performance. Forty-three children and adolescents with ADHD and 27 clinical controls with clinical diagnoses other than ADHD completed the INSI along with measures of verbal communication skills (Verbal Comprehension Index [VCI]): Similarities, Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests from the Wechsler Battery, visual (Corsi Blocks) and verbal (Digit Span) working memory tasks. Groups performed similarly on measures of intellectual functioning, working memory, and verbal communication. For the entire sample, VCI scores were positively correlated with INSI performance scores. The ADHD group performed worse on the INSI than the clinical control group. Linear regression analysis showed that inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity levels and Similarities predicted INSI's performance. Our findings indicate that interpersonal negotiation difficulties in ADHD are related to DSM-5 defining symptoms of the disorder.

Use of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in a child and adolescent sample: a pilot study

Abstract Introduction Interpersonal negotiation skills (INS) comprise actions used to solve social situations between interacting individuals involving different needs or desires. These abilities are part of one's social competence and may be impaired in some psychiatric conditions. There are few validated psychometric tools for measuring INS in the literature. This pilot study aimed to investigate some basic psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in children and adolescents. Methods We developed a new version of the INSI adapted to the Brazilian culture using eight different dilemmas in dyadic situations (with peers and adults), presented visually as drawings on cards. A group of psychologists and psychiatrists chose and adapted the dilemmas formerly proposed by the original version. The same scoring criteria as for the original instrument were used. A total of 20 children and adolescents were included in this pilot study. We investigated test reliability using measures of interrater reliability, test-retest, and internal consistency. The content validity of the INSI was also evaluated by comparison with scores from the Child Behavior Checklist-Revised (CBCL). Results Internal consistency and test-retest evaluations were acceptable (rater 1: α = 0.77; rater 2: α = 0.72); the reliability of the instrument was excellent (K = 0.078; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.97-0.99); and content validity was strongly significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions Preliminary results suggest that this version of the INSI has good interrater reliability and internal consistency and constitutes a promising tool to assess social competence.

High prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents at a tertiary epilepsy center.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders and a significant amount of the morbidity related to epilepsy is in fact a result of psychiatric comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of different psychiatric comorbidities in children with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: We present preliminary observational data from a series of patients (n=82) examined in the psychiatric branch of a tertiary epilepsy center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients were classified as presenting autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, disruptive disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual development disorder, psychotic episode, dissociative/conversive disorders or others. We determined the frequency of each disorder, along with demographic data, medications prescribed, electroencephalogram findings and additional medical examinations and consultations. RESULTS: The most common comorbidities in our sample were autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. Antipsychotics and selective serotonin uptake inhibitors were the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about the prevalence of such comorbidities may provide more targeted interventions in Psychiatry and Psychology services linked to epilepsy centers.

High prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents at a tertiary epilepsy center / Alta prevalência de comorbidades psiquiátricas em crianças e adolescentes de um centro terciário de epilepsia

ABSTRACT Background: Epilepsy is highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders and a significant amount of the morbidity related to epilepsy is in fact a result of psychiatric comorbidities. Objective: To investigate the frequency of different psychiatric comorbidities in children with refractory epilepsy. Methods: We present preliminary observational data from a series of patients (n=82) examined in the psychiatric branch of a tertiary epilepsy center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients were classified as presenting autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, disruptive disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual development disorder, psychotic episode, dissociative/conversive disorders or others. We determined the frequency of each disorder, along with demographic data, medications prescribed, electroencephalogram findings and additional medical examinations and consultations. Results: The most common comorbidities in our sample were autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. Antipsychotics and selective serotonin uptake inhibitors were the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. Conclusions: Knowledge about the prevalence of such comorbidities may provide more targeted interventions in Psychiatry and Psychology services linked to epilepsy centers.

RESUMO Introdução: Epilepsia é altamente comórbida, com transtornos psiquiátricos, e uma parte significativa da morbidade da epilepsia se associa com os transtornos psiquiátricos comórbidos. Objetivo: Investigar a frequência de diferentes comorbidades psiquiátricas em crianças com epilepsia refratária. Métodos: Apresentamos dados observacionais preliminares de uma amostra de pacientes (n=82) avaliados no setor de Psiquiatria de um centro terciário de tratamento de epilepsia no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Pacientes foram classificados como apresentando transtorno do espectro autista, transtorno do humor, transtorno de ansiedade, transtornos disruptivos, transtorno do déficit de atenção de hiperatividade (TDAH), transtorno do desenvolvimento intelectual, episódio psicótico, transtornos dissociativos/conversivos e outros. Foram determinados frequência de cada transtorno, bem como dados demográficos, medicações prescritas e achados de eletroencefalograma. Resultados: As comorbidades mais comuns na nossa amostra foram transtornos do espectro autista e TDAH; antipsicóticos e inibidores seletivos da recaptura de serotonina (ISRS) foram as medicações psiquiátricas mais comumente prescritas. Conclusões: Conhecimento acerca da prevalência dessas comorbidades pode facilitar a instituição de intervenções mais precisas em serviços de Psiquiatria e Psicologia vinculados a centros de tratamento de epilepsia.

Disregarding Impairment in ADHD Diagnosis Inflates Its Prevalence.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-V) diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has reemphasized impairment although many studies have demonstrated that such approach may inflate prevalence rates. However, there is no consensus on how impairment should be measured and a myriad of approaches in different studies make comparisons difficult. Objective: To investigate whether impairment measured using a previous validate quantitative measure modifies prevalence rates in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents. Method: Of 109 children (72 males, 37 females), mean age of 12.4 years, 68 were with ADHD (according to DSM criteria, except for impairment) and 41 were typically developing children. All were evaluated with semi-structured interviews and completed the Functional Impairment Scale (FIS). Results: Thirty-five percent of ADHD cases had impairment in one single domain or no impairment at all (among school performance, social life, family life, and self-perception) in the FIS. Conclusion: Disregarding impairment clearly inflates ADHD diagnosis.

How can Continuous Performance Test help to assess inattention when mood and ADHD symptoms coexist?

Depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent, and often comorbid, disorders, with varying severity levels among patients. Inattention is a symptom present in both disorders, which often makes their differential diagnosis difficult in clinical practice (depression only versus comorbidity). This study aimed to investigate the influence of depressive symptoms on attention performance using one of the most common tasks in clinical practice, the continuous performance test (CPT). Ninety-three college students (60 men, 33 women) with a mean age of 24 years old were investigated with self-reports and semi-structured interviews for ADHD; the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for depression ratings. Attention measures were derived from the CPT. There was no correlation between depression and ADHD symptoms; in addition, depression was not correlated with any of the CPT scores; ADHD symptomatology was the only predictor of changes in those CPT variables (commission and omission errors and d prime). ADHD-associated impairment on the CPT was not augmented by the presence of depressive symptoms, making neuropsychological results on this test helpful for the differential diagnosis. When attention deficits are observed in individuals with mild or moderate depression, they are most likely not attributed to depression.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an independent risk factor for lower resilience in adolescents: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired daily functioning in a wide range of domains. Resilience, the ability to overcome and recover from challenges, has been scarcely investigated in ADHD and could potentially provide novel strategies for treatment. However, since ADHD is often comorbid with other clinical conditions, it is necessary to better understand if it impairs resilience levels when controlled for other variables. This pilot study is the first to investigate the correlation between quantitative measures of resilience and ADHD using strict diagnostic criteria by controlling this correlation for comorbid conditions. METHODS: Twelve adolescents diagnosed with ADHD via semi-structured interview using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) were compared to 12 adolescents exhibiting typical development, regarding resilience, in an analysis controlled for anxiety and depression levels, socioeconomic status, and intelligence quotient (IQ). RESULTS: The ADHD group was less resilient than the control group (p < 0.01). Importantly, resilience in the ADHD group was not correlated with depression or anxiety, age, intelligence level, and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD seems to be associated with lower resilience, which cannot be explained by depression, anxiety, intelligence level, age, or socioeconomic status.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an independent risk factor for lower resilience in adolescents: a pilot study / Transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade é fator de risco independente para menor resiliência em adolescentes: estudo piloto

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired daily functioning in a wide range of domains. Resilience, the ability to overcome and recover from challenges, has been scarcely investigated in ADHD and could potentially provide novel strategies for treatment. However, since ADHD is often comorbid with other clinical conditions, it is necessary to better understand if it impairs resilience levels when controlled for other variables. This pilot study is the first to investigate the correlation between quantitative measures of resilience and ADHD using strict diagnostic criteria by controlling this correlation for comorbid conditions.Methods:Twelve adolescents diagnosed with ADHD via semi-structured interview using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) were compared to 12 adolescents exhibiting typical development, regarding resilience, in an analysis controlled for anxiety and depression levels, socioeconomic status, and intelligence quotient (IQ).Results: The ADHD group was less resilient than the control group (p < 0.01). Importantly, resilience in the ADHD group was not correlated with depression or anxiety, age, intelligence level, and socioeconomic status.Conclusions:ADHD seems to be associated with lower resilience, which cannot be explained by depression, anxiety, intelligence level, age, or socioeconomic status.

Objetivo: O transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade (TDAH) se associa a comprometimento funcional em diferentes domínios. Resiliência, o modo como indivíduos enfrentam e superam dificuldades, não foi investigada de modo suficiente no TDAH e poderia sugerir potenciais novas estratégias terapêuticas. Entretanto, sendo o TDAH frequentemente comórbido com outras condições clinicas, é necessário entender se ele compromete a resiliência de modo independente de outras variáveis. Este estudo piloto é o primeiro a investigar a correlação entre medidas quantitativas de resiliência e TDAH diagnosticado de modo estrito controlando-a por variáveis clínicas.Método: Os níveis de resiliência de 12 adolescentes diagnosticados com TDAH de acordo com os critérios do sistema Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais, 4ª edição (DSM-IV) através de entrevista semiestruturada foram comparados aos de 12 adolescentes com desenvolvimento típico, em uma análise controlada por níveis de ansiedade e depressão, status socioeconômico e inteligência.Resultados: O grupo TDAH apresentou menor resiliência do que o grupo controle (p < 0,01). Não houve correlação entre resiliência e depressão ou ansiedade, idade, inteligência ou nível socioeconômico.Conclusões: TDAH parece estar associado a baixos níveis de resiliência que não podem ser justificados por depressão, ansiedade, inteligência, idade ou condição socioeconômica.

Quantitative measurement of impairment in ADHD: perspectives for research and clinical practice

BACKGROUND Functional impairment is needed to make an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, but there is a paucity of instruments addressing this issue. OBJECTIVE Perform psychometric analysis of a functional impairment scale (FIE). METHODS A sample of 320 individuals, including ADHD probands, their siblings and parents, filled the FIE. We analyzed psychometric properties for the entire sample and age groups. Factor structure was determined by a principal component factor analysis, using oblique rotation with Kaiser normalization and Eigenvalues higher than 1. Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown were calculated. RESULTS Family analysis revealed four components: a) “family life”, b) “self-perception”, c) “performance” and d) “social life”. Adults’ analysis revealed two components: a) “family life, social life and self-perception” and b) “performance”. Children showed the domains: a) “performance and social life”, b) “self-perception” and c) “family life” components. Cronbach’s alpha were above 0.9 in all components. DISCUSSION Results revealed up to four domains depending on the group considered. Different life demands might explain the variability of domains on the groups. .

Is ADHD a risk factor independent of conduct disorder for illicit substance use? A meta-analysis and metaregression investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate meta-analytically if the association between ADHD and illicit substance use (ISU) is maintained when controlling for conduct disorder/oppositional-defiant disorder (CD/ODD). METHOD: A systematic literature review was conducted through Medline from 1980 to 2008. Data extracted and selections made by one author were reviewed by another. RESULTS: Fifteen articles presented odds ratios (ORs) for the development of ISU in individuals with ADHD controlling for CD/ODD. In total, the study covered results for more than 1,000 individuals. The combined OR for studies that included in their analysis exclusively ISU was 1.35 (0.90-2.03), p = .15, heterogeneity = 55%. Lack of control for socioeconomic status was related with a weaker association between ADHD and ISU. CONCLUSION: The existing data do not indicate that ADHD increases the risk of ISU beyond the effects of CD/ODD. However, the combination of all existing data is limited in power to detect a small increase in chance.

A Brazilian version of the Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes (ChIPS) / A versão brasileira do Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes (ChIPS)

OBJETIVE: The advance of research in child and adolescent psychiatry in Brazil heavily depends on the existence of instruments for the investigation of psychiatric syndromes adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: This article describes a careful process of translation of the Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes for the purpose of use in research in Brazil. The Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes has a version for parents (P-ChIPs) and a version for children (ChIPS). In this article, the sections of P-ChIPS referring to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, conduct disorder, mania/hypomania, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and psychotic disorders were translated to Brazilian Portuguese. The sections of the ChIPS referring to substance use disorders, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disoder, separation anxiety disorder, post-traumatic disorders and depression/dysthimia were also adapted. Each section was translated by two independent translators and later discussed in a committee composed of experts in the field of Psychiatry and a professional of the field of linguistics. RESULT: A final version containing an interview for the main psychiatric syndromes was defined. CONCLUSION: The translated P-ChIPS is a helpful instrument in children and adolescent clinical evaluation.

OBJETIVO: O avanço em pesquisa em psiquiatria da infância e adolescência no Brasil depende da existência de instrumentos para a investigação de síndromes psiquiátricas adaptadas à Língua Portuguesa. Este artigo descreve um cuidadoso processo de tradução do Childrenïs Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes para o uso em pesquisa no Brasil. MÉTODOS: O Childrenïs Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes tem uma versão para pais (P-ChIPs) e uma versão para as crianças (ChIPs). Nesse artigo, as seções do P-ChIPs referentes ao transtorno do déficit de atenção, transtorno opositivo-desafiador, transtorno de conduta, mania/hipomania, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa e transtorno psicótico foram traduzidas para a língua portuguesa. As seções do ChIPs referentes ao transtorno do uso de substâncias, ansiedade social, fobias específicas, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, transtorno de ansiedade generalizada, ansiedade de separação, estresse pós-traumático e depressão/distimia também foram adaptadas. Cada seção foi traduzida por dois tradutores independentes e depois discutida em um comitê composto por especialistas na área de psiquiatria e linguística. RESULTADO: A versão final, abrangendo as síndromes psiquiátricas, foi definida. CONCLUSÃO: O P-ChIPS traduzido é um instrumento que pode ser utilizado na avaliação de crianças e adolescentes.

Inattention, hyperactivity, oppositional-defiant symptoms and school failure.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with school failure. Inattention has been mainly implicated for this association. Oppositional-defiant disorder's (ODD) impact on academic performance remains controversial, because of the high comorbidity between ODD and ADHD. OBJECTIVE: To understand the role of inattention (IN), hyperactivity (H/I) and ODD in school failure. METHOD: Parents and teachers filled out SNAP-IV questionnaires for 241 / 6th grade students. The associations of the scores of oppositional-defiant (OP), H/I and IN symptoms with school year failure were calculated. RESULTS: IN was strongly correlated with school failure. H/I and OP were not associated with school failure, when controlled for IN. CONCLUSION: OP and H/I symptoms do not play an important role in school failure, when controlled for IN symptoms. Our study supports the cross-cultural role of IN as a major predictor of school failure.

Inattention, hyperactivity, oppositional-defiant symptoms and school failure / Desatenção, hiperatividade, sintomas de oposição e desafio e fracasso escolar

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with school failure. Inattention has been mainly implicated for this association. Oppositional-defiant disorder's (ODD) impact on academic performance remains controversial, because of the high comorbidity between ODD and ADHD. OBJECTIVE: To understand the role of inattention (IN), hyperactivity (H/I) and ODD in school failure. METHOD: Parents and teachers filled out SNAP-IV questionnaires for 241 / 6th grade students. The associations of the scores of oppositional-defiant (OP), H/I and IN symptoms with school year failure were calculated. RESULTS: IN was strongly correlated with school failure. H/I and OP were not associated with school failure, when controlled for IN. CONCLUSION: OP and H/I symptoms do not play an important role in school failure, when controlled for IN symptoms. Our study supports the cross-cultural role of IN as a major predictor of school failure.

Transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) está fortemente correlacionado a fracasso escolar. Desatenção (DA) parece ser primordialmente responsável por essa associação. A influência de transtorno desafiador de oposicão (TDO) sobre o desempenho acadêmico continua a ser controversa, principalmente devido à alta comorbidade entre TDO e TDAH. OBJETIVO: Entender melhor o papel da DA, hiperatividade/impulsividade (H/I) e sintomas opositivo-desafiadores (OP) no fracasso escolar. MÉTODO: Duzentos e quarenta e um estudantes da 6ª série foram avaliados com os questionários de Swanson, Nolan e Pelham (SNAP-IV), preenchidos pelos pais e professores. As associações entre as sub-escalas de OP, H/I e DA, com o número de notas "I" ("insuficiente") e com reprovação escolar foram calculadas. RESULTADOS: Sintomas OP não foram correlacionados com o número de notas "I", após o controle para a sua associação com H/I e DA. DA se associou com fracasso escolar. H/I não se correlacionou com fracasso escolar, uma vez controlada a sua associação com DA. CONCLUSÃO: OP e H/I não exercem papel importante no fracasso escolar, uma vez controladas as suas associações com DA. Esse estudo ressalta, em amostra brasileira, o papel transcultural da DA como ameaça ao bom desempenho escolar. A associação entre transtornos do aprendizado e sintomas de DA precisa ser mais extensamente investigada.

Inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional- defiant symptoms in Brazilian adolescents: gender prevalence and agreement between teachers and parents in a non-English speaking population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess hyperactivity (H/I), inattention (IN), and oppositional-defiant (OP) symptoms in a nonclinical Brazilian sample of adolescents, and to investigate the association between scoring profiles of teachers and parents, symptom levels, and gender. METHOD: Symptoms were assessed through the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelhman (SNAP-IV) Questionnaires distributed for teachers and parents to fill out. Score means and prevalence rates based on Criterion A of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) for ADHD or oppositional-defiant disorder were estimated. Agreement rates between teachers and parents were calculated for each group of symptoms. Mean scores were compared by gender. RESULTS: Between 7% and 33% of students were rated as having high scores of symptoms. Boys and girls had the same level of symptoms, when scored by parents. Teachers rated boys as having more H/I and OP symptoms. Parents gave scores significantly higher for H/I and OP symptoms, and teachers rated more students as inattentive. CONCLUSIONS: H/I, IN, and OP symptoms were highly prevalent in this nonclinical sample. Few differences between boys and girls were observed in symptom levels. Teachers and parents have different scoring profiles for the different SNAP subscales and are probably influenced by cultural aspects.

Conflitos conjugais e familiares e presença de transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) na prole: revisão sistemática / Marital and familial conflicts and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the offspring: systematic review

O transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) é um dos transtornos neurobiológicos com maior prevalência na infância e pode implicar dificuldades no funcionamento conjugal dos pais das crianças afetadas, bem como sofrer influência do mesmo. OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão sistemática acerca dos aspectos conjugais em famílias de crianças com TDAH, relacionando-os com outras variáveis, como a presença de comorbidades, aspectos socioeconômicos e saúde mental dos pais. MÉTODOS: Revisão sistemática de literatura por meio do PubMed entre os anos de 1996 e 2006, utilizando os termos "ADD", "ADHD", "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "Attention-Deficit", "marital conflict" e "family". RESULTADOS: Dezesseis estudos dentre 628 publicações iniciais e 55 artigos posteriormente incluídos pelas referências bibliográficas foram avaliados. O relacionamento conjugal aparece comprometido em grande parte da literatura, principalmente nos pais daquelas crianças que apresentam distúrbio desafiador e de oposição (DDO) ou distúrbio de conduta comórbidos. Contudo, resultados opostos também são encontrados em diversas pesquisas. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados de pesquisas referentes ao funcionamento conjugal de pais destas crianças são heterogêneos. É preciso que sejam feitos estudos longitudinais, que possam esclarecer o impacto do transtorno nos conflitos conjugais de pais de portadores, bem como a influência destes últimos na expressão clínica do transtorno.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobiological disorders among children and might either influence or be influenced by problems in marital functioning of the parents of affected children. Studies aimed at investigating marital functioning in parents of these children have found controversial results. OBJETIVE: To perform a systematic review about the marital aspects of families with ADHD children and, to correlate those aspects with other variables, like the presence of comorbidities, socioeconomical aspects and parents' mental health. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in Pubmed between 1996 and 2006, using the following keywords: "ADD", "ADHD", "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "Attention-Deficit", "marital conflict", and "family". RESULTS: Sixteen of the 628 initial articles and 55 additional papers included in a following phase, based on bibliographical references, were evaluated. Impairment in marital relationships has been documented in most studies, specially when ADHD is comorbid with Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD). However, studies indicating normal marital functioning also exist. CONCLUSIONS: Study results concerning ADHD and marital dysfunction have conflicting results. Futures longitudinal studies will be necessary to clarify the impact of ADHD in marital conflict of parents of children with ADHD, and also to determine the influence of the marital conflicts in the clinical expression of the disorder.

Dificuldades no diagnóstico de TDAH em crianças / Challenges in diagnosing ADHD in children

O transtorno do déficit de atenção e/ou hiperatividade (TDAH) é uma doença de alta prevalência em crianças em idade escolar. Erroneamente entendido anteriormente como um diagnóstico de baixa morbidade, o TDAH é reconhecido atualmente como uma condição importante, não só pelo forte impacto funcional e social como também pela alta prevalência de comorbidades psiquißtricas. Déficits cognitivos globais e transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento assim como transtornos do aprendizado são condições complexas que, quando estão associadas aos sintomas de TDAH, têm seus quadros agravados, requerendo maior atenção e estratégias de tratamento mais individualizadas. O objetivo deste artigo é uma discussão sobre esses diagnósticos diferenciais que representam um desafio na prática clínica.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent disorder among school age children. Once understood as a common and mild disorder restricted to childhood, ADHD is now recognized as an important condition because of its poor outcome and strong association with comorbidities. Pervasive disorders and cognitive deficits, as well as learning disorders, are complex conditions and their co-ocurrence with ADHD is commonly associated with marked impairments and disabilities. These patients need more attention and personalized treatment strategies. The aim of this article is to establish a discussion about these differential diagnoses, which are a challenge in clinical practice.

Resiliência e transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade / Resilience and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Este artigo tem como objetivo fazer uma atualização acerca dos conceitos de resiliência, fatores de risco e fatores de proteção, correlacionando-os com o impacto do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH). Resiliência descreve a capacidade do indivíduo de, uma vez exposto a estresse, resistir e vencê-lo. A família estß envolvida no conceito de resiliência, tanto pela sua capacidade de interferir na resiliência dos seus indivíduos componentes quanto na habilidade de responder como uma unidade funcional resiliente, diante do estresse. O relacionamento com figuras afetivamente importantes na infância, o número pequeno de estressores, e o entendimento subjetivo em relação ao estressor são fatores que influenciam a capacidade de ser resiliente. A ausência de comorbidades, de problemas de conduta ou de relacionamento com colegas, bem como de sintomas somßticos ou problemas de coordenação, estß associada com menor impacto negativo do TDAH.

The aim of this article is to perform an update regarding the definition of resilience, risk factors and protective factors, and to correlate them with the impact of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Resilience is the capacity to resist and overcome adversity. Family is associated with the concept of resilience not only because of its capacity to interfere with the resilience of its members, but also because of its ability to respond as a functional unit when challenged with adversity. Relationships with affectively meaningful figures during childhood, the number of adverse events to which the individual is submitted and his subjective understanding of the stressor modify the ability to be resilient. ADHD has a smaller negative impact in children without conduct problems, social relationship problems, somatic symptoms or coordination problems.

Apresentação de uma versão em português para uso no Brasil do instrumento MTA-SNAP-IV de avaliação de sintomas de transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade e sintomas de transtorno desafiador e de oposição / A Brazilian version of the MTA-SNAP-IV for evaluation of symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder

O instrumento SNAP-IV foi desenvolvido para avaliação de sintomas do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade em crianças e adolescentes. Pode ser preenchido por pais ou professores e emprega os sintomas listados no Manual de Diagnóstico e Estatística das Perturbações Mentais (DSM-IV) para transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (critério A) e transtorno desafiador e de oposição (TDO). OBJETIVOS: Elaborar uma versão em português, para uso no Brasil, do SNAP-IV utilizado no Multimodal Treatment Assessment Study. MÉTODO: Foi empregada uma metodologia de tradução, retrotradução, avaliação de equivalência semântica, sondagem na população-alvo e escolha de versão final. RESULTADOS: Após as etapas de tradução e retrotradução, 20 itens foram considerados semelhantes, seis foram considerados aproximados, e cinco, diferentes da sua versão original em inglês. A versão final foi escolhida após diversas considerações, incluindo a semelhança com o original, a facilidade de compreensão e a maior equivalência dos termos em diferentes regiões sociogeográficas do Brasil. CONCLUSÃO: A versão em português do SNAP-IV obtida permitirá um rastreio de sintomas de transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade e transtorno desafiador e de oposição de modo correspondente à versão original.

The SNAP-IV questionnaire was developed to evaluate symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. It can be fulfilled by parents or teachers and consists of the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (criterion A) and oppositional-defiant disorder. OBJECTIVES: To develop a version of the SNAP-IV used in the Multimodal Treatment Assessment Study to be applied in Brazil. METHODS: Translation, back-translation, evaluation of semantic equivalence, debriefing and definition of a final version was the methodology used to reach an adequate version. RESULTS: After translation and back-translation, 20 items were considered similar, six items were considered approximate in meaning, and five items were considered different from the original instrument in English. The final version was chosen considering many aspects, including similarity to the original version, ease of understanding and level of equivalence of the terms in different regions of the country. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the SNAP-IV will allow the screening of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder in a similar manner to the original version.

The effectiveness of parent management training in a Brazilian sample of patients with oppositional-defiant disorder

INTRODUÇAO: O transtorno desafiador de oposição (TDO) é considerado uma condição de difícil tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de um programa em grupo de treinamento de pais (TP) na redução dos sintomas de TDO e transtorno de conduta (TC) em crianças brasileiras com TDO. MÉTODO: conduziu-se um estudo naturalístico em que se analisou dados dos pais de cinco pacientes com TDO que participaram de um grupo de TP. Os sintomas de TDO e TC foram avaliados antes e pelo menos um mês depois de iniciarem a participação no grupo. As medidas utilizadas foram escalas baseadas nos critérios da DSM-IV para TDO e TC. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes continuou preenchendo critérios para TDO, mas a gravidade dos seus sintomas de TDO diminuiu 48,75%. A diferença entre as médias na escala de gravidade de sintomas desafiadores-opositivo foi estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,031). O número de critérios de TC preenchido pelos pacientes também foi largamente reduzido.CONCLUSAO: TP mostrou-se eficaz na melhoria de sintomas de TDO e TC em pacientes com TDO. TP pode ser uma opção terapêutica útil para o tratamento de TDO. Palavras-chave: Transtorno de déficit de atenção e disruptivos do comportamento, transtorno desafiador-opositivo, psicoterapia, tratamento.