[Association between cardiovascular health score based on Life's Essential 8 and attention deficit hyperactivity...

Objective: To explore the relationship between the cardiovascular health score of Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Methods: A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select 2 688 children aged 6 to 12 years from five primary schools in Guangzhou for a questionnaire survey and physical examination. The cardiovascular health of Chinese school-aged children was evaluated using the American Heart Association's LE8 metrics. The Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) was utilized to assess symptoms of ADHD (higher scores indicating more severe behavioral problems). Results: This study included 2 688 children aged 6 to 12 years, comprising 1 461 boys and 1 227 girls, with age of (8.8±1.5) years. The LE8 score was (76.1±9.0) points, and the PSQ score was (16.2±12.0) points. A negative correlation was observed between the LE8 score and the total PSQ score, as well as with scores across five dimensions: conduct problems, learning problems, impulsivity-hyperactivity, anxiety, and the hyperactivity index. The corresponding β(95%CI) were as follows:-0.097 (-0.134--0.060), -0.084 (-0.122--0.047), -0.116 (-0.154--0.079), -0.082 (0.119--0.044), -0.061 (-0.099--0.023) and -0.100 (-0.138--0.063), all P<0.05. Conclusion: The cardiovascular health score based on LE8 among children aged 6 to 12 years in Guangzhou is negatively correlated with the PSQ score used to assess ADHD symptoms.