Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 3396 - ADHD SYMPTOMS IN UNMEDICATED YOUTHS WITH NARCOLEPSY TYPE 1 |
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| Contribution code | PS01-25 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Objective High occurrence of ADHD symptoms have been described in narcolepsy. However previous studies have mainly reported from medicated patients, possibly causing underreporting as narcolepsy treatment (stimulants) also target core ADHD symptoms. Norwegian Centre of Expertise for Neurodevelopment Disorders and Hypersomnia (NevSom) has since 2010 followed up children who developed narcolepsy after 2009, and presently we conduct a study assessing psychiatric, cognitive and clinical issues. This study report preliminary ADHD findings from 32 unmedicated narcolepsy type 1(NT1) patients (age range 7-20yrs, 12 boys/20 girls). Methods Patients were all medication free in a fourteen day period previous to clinical sleep evaluation. The patient’s parents rated ADHD symptoms as they occurred in the medication free period using the ADHD Rating Scale. A score above the 93rd percentile on either the attention problems and/or the hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale are considered in a clinical range and suggestive of ADHD. Results A total of 12 youths (37.5%) had ADHD symptoms in a clinical range; 3/12 (25%) of boys and 9/20 (45%) of girls (ns gender difference, p=0.452). Seven of 12 (58.3%) had predominantly inattentive type, the rest either the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive or the combined subtype. The most frequently reported ADHD symptom was “difficulties sustaining attention” (56.3% of all 32 children/youths); followed by “forgetfulness” (40.6%), “do not follow through/fails to finish ” (37.5%), and “easily distracted”, “avoids tasks requiring mental effort” and “do not give close attention to details” (31.3%). Conclusions Medication free children/youths with NC1 have high occurrence of ADHD symptoms, especially inattention symptoms. This may reflect true comorbidity, or symptom misinterpretation such as daytime consequences of impaired sleep mimicking ADHD symptoms. Clinicians need to be aware of narcolepsy as a possible differential diagnosis to ADHD. |