The link between health-related quality of life and clinical symptoms among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Clinical research on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has begun to integrate measures of health-related quality of life (HRQL) as part of the overall assessment of treatment outcomes. This study examines the association between HRQL and measures of clinical symptoms of ADHD. Data were gathered from 297 children and adolescents in an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of atomoxetine treatment for ADHD. HRQL was assessed with the Child Health Questionnaire 50-item Parent Form. ADHD symptoms were assessed with the ADHD Rating Scale-IV; Parent Version and Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity. Associations between HRQL and clinical symptoms were assessed with correlations, analyses of variance with post hoc comparisons, and t tests. The Child Health Questionnaire 50-item Parent Form scales assessing psychosocial domains of HRQL were significantly negatively correlated with clinical measures. Improvement in clinical symptoms was associated with corresponding improvement in psychosocial aspects of HRQL. The findings suggest that HRQL instruments can add important information to efficacy measures in clinical trials of ADHD treatment.