Attention Deficits and ADHD Symptoms in Adults with Fabry Disease—A Pilot Investigation

Abstract

The present pilot study examines subjective reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity (AD/H) in adults with Fabry disease (FD) in comparison with existing normative control data. Existing data from 69 adults with FD via the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment Adult Self-Report questionnaire were analyzed. The results demonstrated a higher prevalence of AD/H symptoms in adults with FD than in the general United States population, with a roughly equal endorsement of Inattention/Attention Deficit symptoms (AD), Hyperactivity-Impulsivity (H-I) symptoms, and Combined Inattention/hyperactivity-impulsivity (C) symptoms. No gender differences were observed. While all subjects endorsing H-I symptoms fell into the symptomatic range on the AD/H scale, only two-thirds of subjects endorsing AD did so. This suggests that attention difficulties with FD are not solely explained by ADHD. Adults with FD who endorsed the AD, H-I, and C symptoms were also more likely to report mean adaptive functioning difficulties. These findings support the growing literature regarding attention difficulties in adults with FD, as well as suggesting a previously unrecognized risk of AD/H symptoms. Future research involving the objective assessment of ADHD in adults with FD is recommended. When serving adults with FD clinically, healthcare professionals should address multiple areas of care, including physical, psychological, and cognitive arenas.