THE DIAGNOSIS AND PREVALENCE OF HYPERACTIVITY IN CHINESE SCHOOLBOYS

Background. This study was undertaken to examine the validity of diffe rent diagnostic definitions of hyperactivity in a Chinese population. Estimates of the prevalence of hyperactivity were made according to th ese different diagnostic definitions. Method, In a two-stage epidemiol ogical study of hyperactivity in Hong Kong, 3069 Chinese schoolboys we re screened by questionnaires; and a stratified sample of 611 of them entered a second stage for more detailed diagnostic assessment. Result s. Children with hyperkinetic disorder (ICD-10) or ADDH (DSM-III) both displayed significant hyperactive symptoms, but with somewhat differe nt external correlates; hyperkinetic disorder tended to show more neur odevelopmental impairments, ADDH more cognitive and educational diffic ulties. These findings raise the possibility of heterogeneity in the d isorders present with hyperactivity. The DSM-III-R category of ADHD wa s more common, and those extra cases, that did not overlap with ADDH o r hyperkinetic disorder, included children with no obvious behavioural , cognitive or neurodevelopmental impairments. Hence ADHD may be an ov er-inclusive category. Prevalence rates for hyperkinetic disorder, ADD H and ADHD were respectively 0.78%, 6.1% and 8.9%. Conclusions. A diso rder of hyperactivity does exist in the Chinese culture, displaying th e same kinds of symptomatology and external correlates as in the West. The prevalence rates of hyperkinetic disorder and ADDH in Chinese sch oolboys are on the low side when compared to those reported in Western studies.