Symptom persistence of ADHD and quality assessment of measurements : A scoping review

Abstract: Background: Despite the high prevalence of ADHD, results of research on persistence rates remain scattered. Previous studies identify methodological limitations resulting in various developmental trajectories of ADHD symptoms. Methods: The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of the litterature on ADHD symptom persistence in young people (<25 years) with a focus on measurement assessment by QUADAS-2 and gender differences. Results: The results confirm heterogeneity both within studies regarding quality of measurements but also between studies regarding methodological choices. While this review indicates some diagnostic stability within the samples, mainly in studies with lower risk of bias, it also demonstrates symptom change with age. However, the confidence in these results is greatly limited by risk of bias. Discussion: It is questionable whether ADHD trajectories would be considered quite so heterogeneous if methods of assessing the condition were more homogeneous. Future research within the field is in great need of standardized methods and reporting standards.