OBJECTIVES: To present preliminary baseline data on patient and family burden associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in German patients enrolled in the ADORE study (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Observational Research in Europe). METHODS: ADORE is an ongoing 24 month, pan-European, prospective, observational study to describe the relationship between treatment regimen prescribed and quality of life in ADHD. Only those patients were documented that had not formally been diagnosed with ADHD before. RESULTS: In total, 392 patients with a mean age of 8.7 (SD 2.1) years with inattentive/impulsive/hyperactive symptoms were enrolled, of which 300 (77%) were male. Patient birth/maternity problems included: smoking in 57 cases (15%), maternal drug/alcohol abuse in 8 cases (2%), 37 patients (9%) were born prematurely, 23 (6%) had low birth weight, and in 79 cases (20%) other birth/maternity problems were experienced. Past history of inattentive/impulsive/hyperactive symptoms in the immediate family was reported for 171 patients (44%), 29 cases (7%) in the extended family, and 13 cases (3%) in both the immediate and extended family. A total of 130 mothers (33%) and 41 fathers (10%) experienced emotional problems due to the patient's symptoms. During the last 6-months, 47 (12%) patients experienced some exclusions from school lessons, 48 (12%) were in special educational programs, and 30 (8%) were requested to change to a special needs school. Thirty-six patients/families (9%) had contact with social services, 7 (2%) had contact with the police. Over the last 4 weeks, 134 patients (34%) were involved in bullying, as the victim (N=49; 13%), the bully (N=58; 15%), or both (N=27; 7%). Seven patients (2%) reported current tobacco use/abuse, 2 (<1%) cannabis use/abuse, and 4 (1%) alcohol use/abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline data suggest that ADHD symptoms are associated with a considerable burden on patients and families in terms of school behavior, social activities, and emotional problems.