ComorbiditéS associées au trouble déficit de l’attention avec hyperactivité : Données épidémiologiques et implications thérapeutiques

ADHD has become one of the most frequent cause of referrals for children’ behaviour disorders. ADHD is a prevalent psychiatric condition affecting 5% to 9% of school-age children with regards to DSM-IV R diagnostic criteria. In addition, according to the results of different epidemiological studies, patients with ADHD very often experience comorbid conditions in 50% to 90% of the cases. The most frequent comorbidities include externalised disorders, (oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders), learning disorders, internalised disorders (anxiety, depression) and tics (chronic motor tics, Tourette’s syndrome). Given their negative impact on the outcome of ADHD in terms of affective and social functioning, and of social and school adaptation, these comorbid conditions should be carefully and systematically searched, even without any actual complaint. Although management of comorbid psychiatric conditions is never simple nor straightforward, therapeutic option should be considered taking into consideration both management of ADHD and specificity of these comorbidities.