Old people reporting childhood AD/HD symptoms: Retrospectively self-rated AD/HD symptoms in a population-based Swedish sample aged 65-80

Our knowledge of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) has increased in recent years. Little is still known about the course and manifestations in later parts of life and whether elderly persons who once presented childhood AD/HD symptoms can be identified. The aim of the study was to explore the occurrence to which elderly individuals retrospectively report symptoms that may indicate childhood AD/HD. The 25-item Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) was administered in a population-based sample of 2500 persons aged 65-80. Demographics, self-ratings of problems in childhood, current health and memory were also investigated. A total of 1599 individuals participated, which corresponds to a response rate of 64%. The prevalence of self-rated childhood AD/HD symptoms was 3.3% using a cut-off score of 36 or more in the WURS. Men rated significantly more AD/HD symptoms. Those who reported more childhood AD/HD symptoms also claimed general problems in childhood as well as worse current health. The proportion of individuals among 65-80-year-olds, who report childhood AD/HD symptoms is slightly lower but comparable with recent prevalence rates of childhood AD/HD. The study encourages further studies of AD/HD using a lifespan perspective.