Attention‐deficit hyperactivity symptoms and disorder in eating disorder inpatients

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and a DSM‐IV ADHD diagnosis in women admitted for treatment of an eating disorder. Method: One hundred eighty‐nine inpatient women with an eating disorder were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders (SCID‐I) and ADHD interview from the Multi‐international Psychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Twenty‐one percent of the sample reported at least six current ADHD symptoms, but the estimated prevalence rate for a diagnosis of ADHD in this population was only 5.8% (95% CI: 2.6%–9.5%). Most current ADHD inattentive symptoms appeared after childhood suggesting late‐onset non‐ADHD origins. Current inattention symptoms in those without a diagnosis of ADHD correlated with higher BMI ( p < .0001), symptoms of bulimia nervosa and current level of depression symptoms ( p = .025). Discussion: Although current ADHD symptoms were commonly endorsed in this population, clinicians should carefully examine for childhood symptom‐onset of ADHD. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009