REASONS FOR THE PRESUMPTIVE DIAGNOSIS OF ADHD AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ASRS-18 IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to identify the association between the Adult Self-Report Scale 18 (ASRS-18) and the reasons for the presumptive diagnosis of ADHD in medical students. Methodology: Cross-sectional study (559 students). Two questionnaires were applied: 1st sociodemographic aspects and identification of the reasons for the presumptive diagnosis of ADHD; 2nd ASRS-18 – screening test for the diagnosis of ADHD. For data analysis, the population was separated into profiles related to ADHD suspicion / screening. Pearson's chi-square test (odds ratio - OR) and the respective 95% confidence intervals were used, with a 5% significance level. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was identified in 8,1%, and the screening test (ASRS-18) was suggestive of the disorder in 16.3%. 40,2% of the students reported the possibility of having ADHD, of which 9% was indicated by the ASRS-18. Significant association (p <0.05) was seen in 58% of the reasons for suspecting of ADHD, although a higher frequency of all reasons was observed in students with positive ASRS-18 when compared to students with negative ASRS-18. Conclusion: The high frequency of suspected ADHD diagnosis in medical students transposes the prevalence of this disorder in this population. The reasons associated with ADHD are related to hyperactivity, difficulty in completing tasks with scheduled time, difficulty in avoiding stimuli and the ability to concentrate on reading and conversations.