Emergency Department visits for sports injuries in adult patients: Relationship with adult-type Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of ADHD in sports injuries, identify factors influencing this condition, and lay the foundation for intervention planning. We examined the relationship between sports injuries and ADHD in adult patients who presented to the Emergency Department due to sports-related injuries. Patients who sought care for sports injuries at the Emergency Medicine Department of Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine were included in the study. Adult individuals presenting with sports injuries (n=150) were defined as the patient group, and individuals presenting with trauma or complaints other than injuries (n=150) were defined as the control group. The Turgay DSM-IV YDB-TDÖ was used to assess Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients who agreed to participate in the study. The Individual Recognition Form and sections evaluating Attention Deficiency, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and characteristics related to ADHD were used to examine the patients' degrees of exhibiting low, moderate, or high levels of ADHD symptoms. In the patient group, there were 62 (41.3%) females and 88 (58.7%) males, with no statistical significance compared to the control group (p=0.128). The average age of the patient group (32.29) was higher than that of the control group (30.17). While the highest number of university graduates in the patient group was 63 (42%), the lowest number among elementary school graduates was 14 (9.3%). In the control group, the highest number of university graduates was 71 (47.3%), and the lowest among middle school graduates was 12 (8%). There was no significant difference in smoking status and education level between the patient and control groups (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the degree of ADHD and smoking in both groups (p=0.071). In the patient group, the average scores for attention deficiency, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and overall ADHD were higher (5.96, 5.93, 19.56, and 31.27, respectively) than those in the control group. The study revealed a significant difference in smoking among individuals with different degrees of ADHD (p=0.036). In a study examining symptom reporting among non-injured adult athletes, those with ADHD confirmed significantly more physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms than those without ADHD. Nearly one-third of non-injured adult males with ADHD (31.5%) and half of non-injured females with ADHD (52.6%) reported symptoms in various functional areas. In a study examining traumatic sports injuries in adults, environmental factors, along with human behaviors, were reported to be significant risk factors, with ADHD being a crucial factor. Despite several studies on ADHD in children related to sports injuries, our literature review did not reveal similar studies in adults. It is concluded that evaluating the presence of ADHD in adults presenting to the Emergency Department with sports injuries is crucial, and in case of suspicion, referral to relevant departments is essential. We recommend further detailed and comprehensive studies on this topic. Keywords: Sports injury, attention deficit, hyperactivity, impulsivity, adult ADHD, emergency department.