Evaluation of attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease and a global health problem. Inadequate glycemic control and diabetes self-management can cause many secondary diseases. There are few studies on the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and type 2 DM. Our study compares adult and childhood ADHD symptoms and signs and impulsivity in type 2 DM patients and healthy controls. METHODS: In this case-control study, data were collected voluntarily. The study was carried out with a total of 200 participants, including 100 people in both the Type 2 diabetes group and the healthy control group. The Barratt Impulsivity Scale version 11 (BIS-11), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and demographic information form were applied to the participants and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean ASRS attention score, ASRS hyperactivity score, ASRS total score, WURS total score, BIS total score of the type 2 DM group were significantly higher than the control group. Moreover, the probability of ADHD was evaluated using the cut-off scores in the ASRS and WURS scales, and it was detected in significantly more people in the type 2 DM group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms are more common in type 2 DM patients than controls. Evaluation of these symptoms may be beneficial in the self-management of diabetes and in improving glycemic control.

Keywords

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• impulsivity
• type 2 diabetes mellitus