Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years

Robyn E Wootton; Lucy Riglin; Rachel Blakey; Jessica  Agnew-Blais; Arthur Caye; Tim Cadman; Alexandra Havdahl; Helen Denise Gonçalves; Ana Maria Menezes; Fernando C Wehrmeister; Kaili Rimfeld; George Davey Smith; Thalia C Eley; Luis Augusto Rohde; Louise Arseneault; Terrie Moffitt; Evangelia  Stergiakouli; Anita Thapar; Kate M Tilling

doi:10.1093/ije/dyac049

Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years

Robyn E Wootton^*, Lucy Riglin, Rachel Blakey, Jessica Agnew-Blais , Arthur Caye, Tim Cadman, Alexandra Havdahl, Helen Denise Gonçalves, Ana Maria Menezes, Fernando C Wehrmeister, Kaili Rimfeld, George Davey Smith, Thalia C Eley, Luis Augusto Rohde, Louise Arseneault, Terrie Moffitt, Evangelia Stergiakouli , Anita Thapar, Kate M Tilling

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

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Abstract

Background: Trajectories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits spanning early childhood to mid-life have not been described in general populations across different geographical contexts. Population trajectories are crucial to better understand typical developmental patterns.

Methods: We combined repeated assessments of ADHD traits from five population-based cohorts, spanning ages 3 to 45 years. We used two measures: 1) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactive-inattentive subscale (175,831 observations, 29,519 individuals) and 2) scores from DSM-referenced scales (118,144 observations, 28,685 individuals). Multilevel linear spline models allowed for non-linear change over time and differences between cohorts and raters (parent/teacher/self).

Results: Patterns of age-related change differed by measure, cohort and country. Overall, SDQ scores decreased with age, most rapidly declining before age 8 years (-0.157 (95% CI: -0.170, -0.144) per year). The pattern was generally consistent using DSM scores, although with greater between-cohort variation. DSM scores decreased most rapidly between ages 14 and 17 years (-1.32% (95% CI: -1.471, -1.170) per year). Average scores were consistently lower for females than males (SDQ: -0.815 (95% CI: -0.853, -0.777); DSM: -4.934% (95% CI: -5.378, -4.489)). This sex difference decreased over age for both measures due to an overall steeper decrease for males.

Conclusions: ADHD trait scores declined from childhood to mid-life, with marked variation between cohorts. Our results highlight the importance of taking a developmental perspective when considering typical population traits. When interpreting changes in clinical cohorts, it is important to consider the pattern of expected change within the general population, which is influenced by cultural context and measurement.

Original language	English
Article number	dyac049
Pages (from-to)	919-930
Number of pages	12
Journal	International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume	51
Issue number	3
Early online date	11 Apr 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyac049
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.

Keywords

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHD
neurodevelopment
trajectories
ALSPAC
TEDS
E-Risk
Pelotas
Dunedin

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IEU: MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit Quinquennial renewal
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Wootton, R. E., Riglin, L., Blakey, R., Agnew-Blais , J., Caye, A., Cadman, T., Havdahl, A., Gonçalves, H. D., Menezes, A. M., Wehrmeister, F. C., Rimfeld, K., Davey Smith, G., Eley, T. C., Rohde, L. A., Arseneault, L., Moffitt, T., Stergiakouli , E., Thapar, A., & Tilling, K. M. (2022). Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years. International Journal of Epidemiology, 51(3), 919-930. Article dyac049. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyac049

@article{eebace03efe64bac8a61fef4e61c2d25,

title = "Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years",

abstract = "Background: Trajectories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits spanning early childhood to mid-life have not been described in general populations across different geographical contexts. Population trajectories are crucial to better understand typical developmental patterns. Methods: We combined repeated assessments of ADHD traits from five population-based cohorts, spanning ages 3 to 45 years. We used two measures: 1) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactive-inattentive subscale (175,831 observations, 29,519 individuals) and 2) scores from DSM-referenced scales (118,144 observations, 28,685 individuals). Multilevel linear spline models allowed for non-linear change over time and differences between cohorts and raters (parent/teacher/self). Results: Patterns of age-related change differed by measure, cohort and country. Overall, SDQ scores decreased with age, most rapidly declining before age 8 years (-0.157 (95\% CI: -0.170, -0.144) per year). The pattern was generally consistent using DSM scores, although with greater between-cohort variation. DSM scores decreased most rapidly between ages 14 and 17 years (-1.32\% (95\% CI: -1.471, -1.170) per year). Average scores were consistently lower for females than males (SDQ: -0.815 (95\% CI: -0.853, -0.777); DSM: -4.934\% (95\% CI: -5.378, -4.489)). This sex difference decreased over age for both measures due to an overall steeper decrease for males. Conclusions: ADHD trait scores declined from childhood to mid-life, with marked variation between cohorts. Our results highlight the importance of taking a developmental perspective when considering typical population traits. When interpreting changes in clinical cohorts, it is important to consider the pattern of expected change within the general population, which is influenced by cultural context and measurement. ",

keywords = "Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, neurodevelopment, trajectories, ALSPAC, TEDS, E-Risk, Pelotas, Dunedin",

author = "Wootton, \{Robyn E\} and Lucy Riglin and Rachel Blakey and Jessica Agnew-Blais and Arthur Caye and Tim Cadman and Alexandra Havdahl and Gon{\c c}alves, \{Helen Denise\} and Menezes, \{Ana Maria\} and Wehrmeister, \{Fernando C\} and Kaili Rimfeld and \{Davey Smith\}, George and Eley, \{Thalia C\} and Rohde, \{Luis Augusto\} and Louise Arseneault and Terrie Moffitt and Evangelia Stergiakouli and Anita Thapar and Tilling, \{Kate M\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.",

year = "2022",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1093/ije/dyac049",

language = "English",

volume = "51",

pages = "919--930",

journal = "International Journal of Epidemiology",

issn = "0300-5771",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

number = "3",

}

Wootton, RE, Riglin, L, Blakey, R, Agnew-Blais , J, Caye, A, Cadman, T, Havdahl, A, Gonçalves, HD, Menezes, AM, Wehrmeister, FC, Rimfeld, K, Davey Smith, G, Eley, TC, Rohde, LA, Arseneault, L, Moffitt, T, Stergiakouli , E, Thapar, A & Tilling, KM 2022, 'Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years', International Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 51, no. 3, dyac049, pp. 919-930. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyac049

Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years. / Wootton, Robyn E; Riglin, Lucy; Blakey, Rachel et al.
In: International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 51, No. 3, dyac049, 01.06.2022, p. 919-930.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population

T2 - Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years

AU - Wootton, Robyn E

AU - Riglin, Lucy

AU - Blakey, Rachel

AU - Agnew-Blais , Jessica

AU - Caye, Arthur

AU - Cadman, Tim

AU - Havdahl, Alexandra

AU - Gonçalves, Helen Denise

AU - Menezes, Ana Maria

AU - Wehrmeister, Fernando C

AU - Rimfeld, Kaili

AU - Davey Smith, George

AU - Eley, Thalia C

AU - Rohde, Luis Augusto

AU - Arseneault, Louise

AU - Moffitt, Terrie

AU - Stergiakouli , Evangelia

AU - Thapar, Anita

AU - Tilling, Kate M

PY - 2022/6/1

Y1 - 2022/6/1

N2 - Background: Trajectories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits spanning early childhood to mid-life have not been described in general populations across different geographical contexts. Population trajectories are crucial to better understand typical developmental patterns. Methods: We combined repeated assessments of ADHD traits from five population-based cohorts, spanning ages 3 to 45 years. We used two measures: 1) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactive-inattentive subscale (175,831 observations, 29,519 individuals) and 2) scores from DSM-referenced scales (118,144 observations, 28,685 individuals). Multilevel linear spline models allowed for non-linear change over time and differences between cohorts and raters (parent/teacher/self). Results: Patterns of age-related change differed by measure, cohort and country. Overall, SDQ scores decreased with age, most rapidly declining before age 8 years (-0.157 (95% CI: -0.170, -0.144) per year). The pattern was generally consistent using DSM scores, although with greater between-cohort variation. DSM scores decreased most rapidly between ages 14 and 17 years (-1.32% (95% CI: -1.471, -1.170) per year). Average scores were consistently lower for females than males (SDQ: -0.815 (95% CI: -0.853, -0.777); DSM: -4.934% (95% CI: -5.378, -4.489)). This sex difference decreased over age for both measures due to an overall steeper decrease for males. Conclusions: ADHD trait scores declined from childhood to mid-life, with marked variation between cohorts. Our results highlight the importance of taking a developmental perspective when considering typical population traits. When interpreting changes in clinical cohorts, it is important to consider the pattern of expected change within the general population, which is influenced by cultural context and measurement.

AB - Background: Trajectories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits spanning early childhood to mid-life have not been described in general populations across different geographical contexts. Population trajectories are crucial to better understand typical developmental patterns. Methods: We combined repeated assessments of ADHD traits from five population-based cohorts, spanning ages 3 to 45 years. We used two measures: 1) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactive-inattentive subscale (175,831 observations, 29,519 individuals) and 2) scores from DSM-referenced scales (118,144 observations, 28,685 individuals). Multilevel linear spline models allowed for non-linear change over time and differences between cohorts and raters (parent/teacher/self). Results: Patterns of age-related change differed by measure, cohort and country. Overall, SDQ scores decreased with age, most rapidly declining before age 8 years (-0.157 (95% CI: -0.170, -0.144) per year). The pattern was generally consistent using DSM scores, although with greater between-cohort variation. DSM scores decreased most rapidly between ages 14 and 17 years (-1.32% (95% CI: -1.471, -1.170) per year). Average scores were consistently lower for females than males (SDQ: -0.815 (95% CI: -0.853, -0.777); DSM: -4.934% (95% CI: -5.378, -4.489)). This sex difference decreased over age for both measures due to an overall steeper decrease for males. Conclusions: ADHD trait scores declined from childhood to mid-life, with marked variation between cohorts. Our results highlight the importance of taking a developmental perspective when considering typical population traits. When interpreting changes in clinical cohorts, it is important to consider the pattern of expected change within the general population, which is influenced by cultural context and measurement.

KW - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

KW - ADHD

KW - neurodevelopment

KW - trajectories

KW - ALSPAC

KW - TEDS

KW - E-Risk

KW - Pelotas

KW - Dunedin

U2 - 10.1093/ije/dyac049

DO - 10.1093/ije/dyac049

M3 - Article (Academic Journal)

C2 - 35403686

SN - 0300-5771

VL - 51

SP - 919

EP - 930

JO - International Journal of Epidemiology

JF - International Journal of Epidemiology

IS - 3

M1 - dyac049

ER -

Wootton RE, Riglin L, Blakey R, Agnew-Blais J, Caye A, Cadman T et al. Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2022 Jun 1;51(3):919-930. dyac049. Epub 2022 Apr 11. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyac049

Decline in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits over the life-course in the general population: Trajectories across five population birth cohorts spanning ages 3 to 45 years

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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IEU: MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit Quinquennial renewal

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