Signs and symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its main comorbidities: A systematic review

Sinais e sintomas do Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade e suas principais comorbidades: Uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to survey the latest scientific evidence on the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder associated or not with comorbidities. Knowledge and use of clinical criteria reverberate in the benefit of early diagnosis, optimizing positive results in phase of greater brain plasticity. Methodology: Bibliographic review, using the Pubmed and VHL databases, with the descriptors: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Signs and Symptoms and Differential diagnosis, from 2018 to 2023. 299 articles were identified and, after applying the inclusion and exclusion, 20 studies were selected for analysis. Results: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder presenting different clinical presentations called predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined. Among these presentations, inattention is considered the most prevalent and symptoms include difficulty maintaining attention on tasks, difficulty completing imposed tasks, not paying attention to details and not following instructions. The diagnosis is made using DSM-5 criteria. It is reported that ADHD is associated with several comorbidities and other concomitant and overlapping disorders, such as anxiety disorder, mood disorder, substance use disorders, reading disorders, sleep disorder and dyscalculia. Anxiety is the most prevalent comorbidity in patients with ADHD. Conclusion: Scientific studies contributed to demonstrating the main signs and symptoms of ADHD, in addition to listing the main comorbidities that can affect children with this pathology.