Abstract
Background: The frequent comorbidity between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) raises the possibility that ADHD+CD is a distinct
and separate condition.
Methods: We tested hypotheses about patterns of familial association between ADHD,
CD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and adult antisocial personality disorder
(ASPD). Using family study methodology in a sample of girls, we found 11 children
with diagnoses of ADHD+CD, 39 with ADHD+ODD, and 90 with ADHD only. These were compared
with 122 non-ADHD, non-CD control probands. Familial risk analysis was utilized.
Results: Relatives of each ADHD proband subgroup were at significantly greater risk
for ADHD, and the relatives of ADHD-only subjects were at a greater risk of ODD than
relatives of control subjects. Also, rates of CD were elevated among relatives of
ADHD+CD probands only, and the coaggregation of ADHD and the antisocial disorders
could not be accounted for by marriages between ADHD and antisocial spouses. Both
ADHD and antisocial disorders occurred in the same relatives more often than expected
by chance.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that ADHD with and without antisocial disorders
may be etiologically distinct disorders and provide evidence for the nosologic validity
of ICD-10 hyperkinetic conduct disorder.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 22,
1999
Received in revised form:
December 17,
1999
Received:
April 7,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
