Prevalence of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Among Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Attending Healthcare Centers in Zahedan During 2022–2023

Mahdiye Hosseinpour; Ali Akbary; Mansoor Shakiba

Authors

Mahdiye Hosseinpour Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7439-3166
Ali Akbary Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9435-4429
Mansoor Shakiba Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5489-5810

Keywords:

Prevalence of ADHD , Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Children with atopic dermatitis exhibit a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), compared with their healthy peers. Nocturnal pruritus, sleep disturbance, and chronic inflammation have been proposed as potential mechanisms underlying this comorbidity. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ADHD among patients with atopic dermatitis attending healthcare centers in Zahedan. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 60 patients with atopic dermatitis aged 7–16 years were selected through convenience sampling and assessed using a demographic information form including age and sex and the standardized Conners Parent Rating Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, the chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test, with the significance level set at p < .05. The findings showed that the prevalence of ADHD among patients with atopic dermatitis was 10%. The prevalence was 13.1% in boys and 4.5% in girls and was significantly higher in boys than in girls (p = .021). The prevalence of ADHD was 9.7% among children aged 10 years or younger and 10.5% among children older than 10 years, with no significant difference between the two age groups (p = .72). In addition, the prevalence of ADHD increased significantly with increasing severity of atopic dermatitis (p = .01). Based on these findings, screening patients with atopic dermatitis for ADHD, particularly boys and patients with more severe disease, may contribute to improving their mental health and clinical course.

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