[Estimation of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among the standard population on the island of Majorca].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of prevalence of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children of school age (6-11 years) in the Island of Mallorca.


METHODS
The epidemiological study was conducted using a community sample extracted by means of multi-stage stratified sampling according to areas (rural, city and touristy) and schooling (public, private and concerted) and consisted in 1,509 children of both sexes. The ADHD Rating Scales-IV (ADHD RS-IV) for home and school setting were used to collect data. The optimal approach to do a diagnostic evaluation, according with the literature, was using a cut-off point of 90 centil.


RESULTS
The estimated prevalence of ADHD was 4.57% (CI at 99%: 3.0-5.8%) and we also obtained 1.26% for the hyperactive subtype, 1.06% for the disattentional subtype, and 2.25% for the combined subtype. Contrary to what was expected, prevalence was higher for females but no statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between levels, schools or areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The estimates for prevalence found in this study are consistent with those reported in the literature (between 3-5%). Using the ADHD rating scale which has different cut-off point regarding age, sex and setting and the fact that it was a poblational based study could explain the higher prevalence in the females. We propose a normalization of the scales in our area in other to confirm our findings.
Cardo
E
E
Servicio de Neuropediatría, Fundación Hospital Son Llàtzer, Departamento de Psicología, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, España. ecardojalon@gmail.com
Servera
M
M
Llobera
J
J
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology