Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as a Predictor of Prolonged Functional Recovery From Sports-Related Concussion in High School Athletes.

Abstract

Context: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been speculated to prolong concussion recovery; however, the evidence regarding concussion recovery for individuals with ADHD is limited.

Objective: To examine the concussion recovery time based on ADHD status, sex, and age.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: High school.

Patients or other participants: Nine hundred and thirty-five (female: n = 382, 40.1%) concussions, including 78 (female: n = 13, 20.0%) self-identified ADHD data, were analyzed.

Main outcome measure(s): A Poisson regression was used to estimate the return-to-learn and return-to-sport recovery outcomes with 3 predicting variables: ADHD status, sex, and age.

Results: The mean return-to-learn days of the ADHD and non-ADHD groups were 12.86 ± 10.89 (median = 11.0; interquartile range [IQR] = 8.0; 7.0-15.25) and 1.43 ± 8.39 (median = 9.0; IQR = 9.0; 6.0-14.0), respectively. The mean return-to-sport days of the ADHD and non-ADHD groups were 20.82 ± 15.25 days (median = 17.0; IQR = 9.0; 12.0-21.0) and 18.03 ± 11.42 days (median = 15.0; IQR = 10.0; 11.0-21.0), respectively. For return-to-learn, ADHD status (risk ratio [RR] = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.08, 1.24; P < .001) and female sex (RR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.17; P < .001) were significant variables for longer recovery, whereas age was not (RR = 0.995; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.01; P = .056). For return to sport, ADHD status (RR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.23; P < .001), female sex (RR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.11; P < .001), and younger age (RR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99; P < .001) were all significant variables for longer recovery.

Conclusions: Health care providers must be aware of the elevated risk of prolonged concussion recovery among high school athletes with ADHD.