The Predictors of Parent Reported Behaviors Related to Olfactory Information Processing in Children with ADHD

Objective Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder with contradictory findings about smell detection function. It is not clear if the parent perceived behavior related to olfactory function is associated with age, gender, severity of ADHD, and co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and oppositional behavior in children with ADHD. Methods Participants were a clinical sample of 104 children and adolescents with ADHD using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria by a semi-structured interview. Parent perceived behavior related to olfactory processing function was assessed trough a questionnaire. The parent reported Olfactory Functioning Checklist was used to evaluate "seeking behavior and over-responsiveness to smell (SSBO)" and "smell detection ability (SDA)". Results ADHD and separation anxiety symptoms count (severity) predicted the SDA scale score. None of the variables of gender, age, ADHD subtypes, co-morbidity with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and symptom count of ODD predicted SSBO and SDA scales' scores. Conclusion Parent reported behavior related to olfactory detection impairment increased with higher ADHD and anxiety severity. It is independent of age and gender. Psychiatry Investig 2010;7:116-121