Health-related quality of life and participation in adolescents: The role of ADHD, and co-occurrence of DCD

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that often co-occur. Existing research highlights impairments in participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among individuals with a sole diagnosis of ADHD or DCD. Yet, there is a notable gap in understanding how the co-occurrence of these disorders, compare to a sole diagnosis, affect health-related outcomes. This study explored the participation and HRQoL of adolescents with a sole diagnosis of ADHD, and with co-occurring diagnoses of ADHD+DCD, compared to their typical peers. Methods: Ninety-seven adolescents with ADHD (n = 29), co-occurring ADHD+DCD (n = 23), and their typically developing peers (n = 45), underwent an assessment battery to ensure their diagnostic status, and then completed the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Results: There were no significant group differences in participation. However, adolescents with co-occurring ADHD+DCD exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower physical and social HRQoL, compared to typical peers and adolescents with ADHD; and lower emotional and school-related HRQoL, compared to typical peers. Adolescents with ADHD demonstrated lower HRQoL compared to typical peers only in the school-related domain. Diagnosis status, including no diagnosis, a sole diagnosis of ADHD, or co-occurring ADHD+DCD, significantly accounted for 12.9 % of the overall HRQoL, beyond the influence of participation levels (25.3 %) and age and sex (4.2 %). Conclusion: Co-occurrence of ADHD and DCD have a negative impact on multiple domains of HRQoL, which differs from the effect of a sole diagnosis of ADHD. The results reinforce the importance of considering the implications of co-occurring ADHD and DCD when planning interventions aimed at improving quality of life.