Background:

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition with long-term associated risks.

Objective:

To analyze the clinical status, occupation, and daily life difficulties of two cohorts of children diagnosed with ADHD (2004 and 2009) after five and 10 years.

Material and method:

Descriptive, longitudinal study using the WOMI database corresponding to Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. Children with ADHD detected by their primary care pediatrician were included. A voluntary follow-up telephone interview was requested. Outcome variables were current clinical and occupational status, ADHD symptoms according to SNAP-IV, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results:

The interviewed sample consisted of 95 subjects, out of whom 71 answered the SNAP-IV and SDQ questionnaires; 60.70% of the sample did not receive treatment at the time of follow-up, 4.7% had no occupation, 25.40% still had ADHD global symptoms above the clinical cutoff point, and 66.2% had difficulties with moderate interference.

Conclusions:

ADHD symptoms decline as people grow up. Mental health comorbidities and academic dropout were not confirmed in the sample.