Influence of allergic diseases on executive function development and ADHD symptoms: a longitudinal study in Korea

Abstract

Abstract Executive function (EF) encompasses a variety of cognitive domains that are deeply related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has a wide range of negative effects on life. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of allergic diseases on EF development, and the relationship between EF and ADHD. This study used data from the 8th-11th Panel Study on Korean Children in 2015-2018. The data were based on an annual follow-up survey of 1,156 children from the age of 7 to 10. The EF was composed of 3 sub-areas in this study: planning-organization, behavior control, and emotional control. History of allergic diseases was investigated in the 8th wave and included asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and allergic dermatitis (AD). Attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADH) problem was measured based on the Child Behavior Checklist/6-18. Children with a history of asthma or AR generally showed more EF difficulties, but there were differences according to the diseases and sub-areas of EF. Asthma and AR also increased the correlation between EF difficulties and the ADH problem scale. In addition, the development of emotional control showed a different trajectory according to a history of asthma. We suggested that the relationship between allergic diseases and EF could be explained by structural changes in EF with age. In addition, allergic diseases may have a stronger association with inattention symptoms of ADHD, rather than hyperactive-impulsivity symptoms. The problem of EF difficulties associated with allergic diseases may be the key to understanding the relationship between allergic diseases and ADHD.