title: ADHD Drug Prescribing Trend Is Increasing Among Children and Adolescents in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of ADHD medication prescribing of school-aged children in Hong Kong (HK) from 2001 to 2013 and to compare with other countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System, we investigated the epidemiology and prevalence of ADHD medication prescribing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of children on ADHD medication increased 14 times throughout the study period-0.072% in 2001 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.068%, 0.077%]) to 1.027% (95% CI = [1.008%, 1.047%]) in 2013. Prevalence in females increased at a faster rate than in males. The prescribing trend in kindergarten children (3- to 5-year-old) was relatively steady from 2001 to 2008-0.025% (95% CI = [0.019%, 0.033%]) in 2001-until a marked increase from 2009 to 2013-0.121% (95% CI = [0.105%, 0.139%]) in 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of ADHD medication prescribing in Hong Kong is increasing but remains lower than most Western countries. However, the prevalence of ADHD medication prescribing for kindergarten children should be monitored to ensure appropriate use.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Kenneth K C
authors.initials: KKC
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.|2 University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Yingfen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Esther W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Celine S L
authors.initials: CSL
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: May P S
authors.initials: MPS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Wilfred H S
authors.initials: WHS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.|2 University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ian C K
authors.initials: ICK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants
keywords: ADHD; atomoxetine; children; methylphenidate; prevalence