title: The Prevalence of ADHD in a Population-Based Sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few studies of ADHD prevalence have used population-based samples, multiple informants, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria. Moreover, children who are asymptomatic while receiving ADHD medication often have been misclassified. Therefore, we conducted a population-based study to estimate the prevalence of ADHD in elementary school children using DSM-IV criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We screened 7,587 children for ADHD. Teachers of 81% of the children completed a DSM-IV checklist. We then interviewed parents using a structured interview (DISC). Of these, 72% participated. Parent and teacher ratings were combined to determine ADHD status. We also estimated the proportion of cases attributable to other conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 15.5% of our sample met DSM- (4th ed.; text rev., DSM-IV-TR) criteria for ADHD (95% CI [14.6%, 16.4%]); 42% of cases reported no previous diagnosis. With additional information, other conditions explained 9% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of ADHD in this population-based sample was considerably higher than 3% to 7%. To compare study results, the DSM criteria need standardization.
authors: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA arowland@salud.unm.edu.
authors: Andrew S
authors: AS
authors: Rowland
authors: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors: Betty J
authors: BJ
authors: Skipper
authors: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Dept. of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Umbach
authors: Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Rabiner
authors: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors: Richard A
authors: RA
authors: Campbell
authors: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors: Albert J
authors: AJ
authors: Naftel
authors: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Dept. of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors: Dale P
authors: DP
authors: Sandler
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools
keywords: ADD/ADHD; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; comorbidity; epidemiology; prevalence