Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and clinical correlates of delayed sleep phase disorder

Psychiatry Res. 2020 Sep:291:113162. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113162. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and clinical correlates of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Participants were 102 adults (Female= 27), aged 18-65 (mean age= 28.2 years), with ADHD diagnosed in adulthood. ADHD and DSPD diagnosis were made according to DSM-5 criteria. Assessing instruments included the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, the brief Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Reactivity Intensity Polarity Stability Questionnaire-40 and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Epidemiological and Clinical features were compared in patients with and without DSPD. 34 out of 102 patients were classified as having a Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. As expected, DSPD patients reported a more frequent evening chronotype. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder was significantly associated with young age, cannabis use, cyclothymic temperamental traits and severe global impairment. An early diagnosis with a proper treatment targeted to both disorders may be fundamental in order to improve the overall functioning and the outcome of adult ADHD patients.

Keywords: ADHD; Cannabis; Circadian rhythm disorders; Emotional dysregulation; Temperaments.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Pragmatic Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Aged
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult