Multicenter screening for ADHD among school-age pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes - study protocol

Area of Science:

• Pediatric endocrinology
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5% of children, with higher prevalence in those with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
• Untreated ADHD can negatively impact T1D management and may be underdiagnosed in Poland.
• International guidelines recommend neurodevelopmental assessments for children with T1D, but specific protocols are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a systemic screening protocol for assessing ADHD prevalence in Polish children with T1D.
• To provide a framework for clinical practice to identify ADHD in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center screening protocol was developed for children aged 8-16 with T1D (duration ≥1 year) and no major comorbidities.
• The protocol involves a two-stage approach: initial screening with the Conners 3 questionnaire, followed by structured consultations with a psychologist and psychiatrist for high-risk individuals.
• Utilized tools include the Conners 3 and MINI-Kid questionnaires, with both on-site and video consultations.

Main Results:

• The screening is ongoing in four Polish pediatric centers, covering approximately 2,500 youth with T1D.
• The study aims to diagnose ADHD in approximately 190 children over a 36-month period.
• Data collection initiated between January and May 2023.

Conclusions:

• The comorbidity of ADHD and T1D presents a significant, often unrecognized, challenge in pediatric care.
• There is a critical need for effective diagnostic protocols to address ADHD in children with T1D.
• The developed protocol offers a potential solution for systematic ADHD screening in this population.