Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
In spite of the growing literature about adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relatively little is known about the prevalence and correlates of this disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of adult ADHD and to identify its demographic correlates using meta-regression analysis.


METHODS
We used the MEDLINE, PsycLit and EMBASE databases as well as hand-searching to find relevant publications.


RESULTS
The pooled prevalence of adult ADHD was 2.5% (95% CI 2.1-3.1). Gender and mean age, interacting with each other, were significantly related to prevalence of ADHD. Meta-regression analysis indicated that the proportion of participants with ADHD decreased with age when men and women were equally represented in the sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of ADHD in adults declines with age in the general population. We think, however, that the unclear validity of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for this condition can lead to reduced prevalence rates by underestimation of the prevalence of adult ADHD.
Simon
Viktória
V
Semmelweis University Budapest, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Balassa u. 6, Budapest H-1083, Hungary. simonviktoria@psych.sote.hu
Czobor
Pál
P
Bálint
Sára
S
Mészáros
Agnes
A
Bitter
István
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult