Attention Deficit Disorder and hospitalization due to injury among older adolescents in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

The association between Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and injuries among children has long been studied. More recently, research interest has extended to the long-term consequences of childhood ADD in adolescents and young adults, mainly focusing on motor vehicle-related accidents, but not other injuries. Very little work has investigated the associations between individual characteristics, type of injuries, outcomes, and the diagnosis of ADD upon admission of injured patients to a hospital. To investigate these associations, this study used a population-based epidemiological design that analyzed data routinely collected on patients hospitalized due to injuries. Results showed that younger, male, and more socioeconomically disadvantaged patients were more likely to be diagnosed with ADD upon admission. Significant association between different causes of injuries, in particular self-inflicted injuries, and diagnosis of ADD were also found. Patients diagnosed with ADD stayed in the hospital longer than others regardless of the cause of their injury. These results illustrate clearly that ADD is underrecognized among injured patients upon admission to hospitals. Information on the ADD status of injured patients is important for treatment decision making. A screening tool should be developed for assessing all injured patients upon admission to hospitals.