Primary exploration of the clinical subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Chinese children

Objective To explore the clinical subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Chinese children Methods The subjects were 194 outpatient children from September 1999 to August 2000. The core symptoms were scored and the classification was made by using DSM Ⅳ Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview Scale. Results The core symptoms were analyzed and the mean score of total attention deficit symptoms was 7 2±1.4, and the total hyperactive impulsive symptoms score was 5.4±2.2. Three ADHD DSM Ⅳ subtypes in Chinese children were validated, with ADHD predominantly inattentive type (ADHD I) of 45.9%, ADHD predominantly hyperactive impulsive type (ADHD HI) of 7.7%, and ADHD combined type (ADHD C) of 46.4%. The ratio of ADHD C to ADHD I was 1∶1. The proportions of ADHD HI and ADHD C declined and that of ADHD I increased with aging. Conclusions Low level hyperactivity impulsivity may be expressed in Chinese children with ADHD, and the proportions of ADHD I and ADHD C are similar. The subtypes distribution is significantly affected by age.