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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2/2016

01-02-2016 | Original Contribution

A cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of DSM-5 specific learning disorders in representative school samples from the second to sixth grade in Brazil

Authors: Isabela S. Fortes, Cristiane S. Paula, Melaine C. Oliveira, Isabel A. Bordin, Jair de Jesus Mari, Luis A. Rohde

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 2/2016

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Abstract

Little is known about specific learning disorder (SLD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and even less from representative school samples in small size cities outside huge urban centers. Few studies addressed the new DSM-5 criteria for SLDs. We investigated the prevalence of DSM-5 SLDs, their comorbidities and correlates in school samples of students from the second to sixth grades living in median cities from four different geographic regions in Brazil. A national test for academic performance covering reading, writing and mathematical abilities was applied. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed by the K-SADS-PL applied to the primary caregiver. A total of 1618 children and adolescents were included in the study. The following prevalence rates of SLDs were found: 7.6 % for global impairment, 5.4 % for writing, 6.0 % for arithmetic, and 7.5 % for reading impairment. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the only comorbidity significantly associated with SLD with global impairment (p = 0.031). Anxiety disorders and ADHD were associated with SLD with arithmetic impairment. Significant differences were detected in prevalence rates among cities, and several socio-demographic correlates (age, gender, IQ, and socioeconomic status) were significantly associated with SLD with global impairment in our sample. Careful validation and normatization of instruments to assess academic performance is a major problem in LMICs. As expected, we found a significant heterogeneity in prevalence rates of SLD according to geographic regions considering that Brazil is a country with a robust diversity. SLD with global and arithmetic impairment was significantly associated with psychiatric comorbidities.
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Metadata
Title
A cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of DSM-5 specific learning disorders in representative school samples from the second to sixth grade in Brazil
Authors
Isabela S. Fortes
Cristiane S. Paula
Melaine C. Oliveira
Isabel A. Bordin
Jair de Jesus Mari
Luis A. Rohde
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-015-0708-2

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