How common is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a cohort of children with functional constipation, and does ADHD treatment improve functional constipation?

Abstract

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Functional constipation is common in children and has a significant impact on the quality of their life, affecting both physical and emotional well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of ADHD in functional constipation patients and its treatment effect on constipation.

Material and methods: In this clinical trial study, 80 children with simultaneous ADHD and functional constipation were allocated to two equal groups by the block randomization method. One group was treated only with ADHD drugs and the second group was treated for ADHD and functional constipation. Subsequently, the treatment outcome was evaluated in both groups.

Results: The frequency of ADHD in functional constipation patients was 13.87%. The frequency of functional constipation recovery in the first and second group was respectively 2 (5%) and 39 (97.5%) (p < 0.001). ADHD treatment has no significant effect on the recovery of constipation. There was no statistically significant relationship between the response to treatment with age, sex and duration of having ADHD and constipation.

Conclusions: In patients with simultaneous ADHD and functional constipation, ADHD treatment did not influence the recovery of functional constipation and vice versa.

Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; children; constipation.