Neurological soft signs in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder aged 6 to 18 years old at a University Hospital: A cross-sectional study
10.35460/2546-1621.2018-0104
- Author:
Rowena ARCA-CABRADILLA
1
;
Rosalina Q DE SAGUN
1
;
Maria Antonia Aurora M VALENCIA
1
;
Michelle SY
1
Author Information
1. Section of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Pediatrics, University of Santo Tomas Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Neurological soft signs
- MeSH:
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
- From:
Journal of Medicine University of Santo Tomas
2020;4(1):407-422
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Attention defi cit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children persisting into adulthood. Evidence
suggests that the condition is etiologically related to
delayed brain maturation. The detection of the presence of neurological soft signs can be a means to
assess neuromaturation. The objective of this study
was to assess the prevalence of neurological soft
signs in ADHD patients and determine any correlation between the presence of neurological soft signs
with age, gender, severity and type of ADHD which
could give further insights into this disorder.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Child Neurology and Developmental
Pediatrics outpatient clinic which included patients 6-18 years old diagnosed with ADHD as well as
healthy controls. Patients with other neurodevelopmental conditions (intellectual disability, metabolic
disorder, cerebral palsy, abnormal MRI fi ndings), or
any condition that may lead to failure to complete
the given tasks such as physical handicaps were excluded. Neurological soft signs were measured by
utilizing the Physical and Neurological Evaluation
for Soft Signs (PANESS) scale.
Key Findings:A total of 48 patients between 6 and
18 years of age (24 ADHD patients and 24 healthy
controls) were examined. Neurological soft signs
were signifi cantly higher in patients with ADHD and
were present regardless of gender, type and severity
of ADHD. ADHD patients performed worse on the
given tasks as evidenced by higher PANESS scores.
There was a weak negative correlation between neurological soft signs and age indicating that soft sign
scores decrease with increasing age. There was no
statistically signifi cant difference in neurological soft
sign scores between those with medication versus
without treatment, except for dysrhythmia which was
signifi cantly higher in the drug-naive group.
Significance:Neurological soft signs are common
in patients with ADHD and add scientifi c evidence
to the predictive value of neurological soft signs as
indicators of the severity of functional impairment in
ADHD. The prevalence of neurological soft signs is
much higher in children with ADHD than in controls
which may have the potential to improve sensitivity
in the diagnosis of ADHD.
- Full text:1 JMUST 026.pdf
