A linear growth curve analysis of inpatient treatment response by conduct-disordered, ADHD, and comorbid preadolescents

Conduct disorder (CD) comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely reputed to be treatment refractory, particularly when accompanied by aggression and early-onset symptoms. Few studies, however, have assessed inpatient treatment response among early onset CD/ADHD children in detail. In the present investigation, behavioral and rating scale data were compared among CD (n = 13), ADHD (n = 20), and CD/ADHD (n = 45) preadolescents during one-month of multimodal inpatient treatment that included methylphenidate administration. As expected, linear growth curve analyses revealed that CD/ADHD children were the most symptomatic of the three groups. However, all groups benefited from hospitalization, with few differences in treatment responsiveness observed. Analyses of residualized symptoms suggested that methylphenidate administration was effective in curbing impulsive but not aggressive behaviors. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.