title: A meta-analysis of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in incarcerated populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies report the variable prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in incarcerated populations. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of ADHD in these populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary research studies reporting the prevalence (lifetime/current) of ADHD in incarcerated populations were identified. The meta-analysis used a mixed log-binomial model, including fixed effects for each covariate and a random study effect, to estimate the significance of various risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two studies were included in the analysis. ADHD prevalence was higher with screening diagnoses versus diagnostic interview (and with retrospective youth diagnoses versus current diagnoses). Using diagnostic interview data, the estimated prevalence was 25.5% and there were no significant differences for gender and age. Significant country differences were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with published general population prevalence, there is a fivefold increase in prevalence of ADHD in youth prison populations (30.1%) and a 10-fold increase in adult prison populations (26.2%).
authors: Centre for Mental Health, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine,Imperial College London,UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Young
authors: Caudex Medical,Oxford,UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Moss
authors: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Sedgwick
authors: AMF Consulting,Inc., Los Angeles, CA,USA.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fridman
authors: Global HEOR,Vertex Pharmaceuticals,Boston, MA,USA.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Hodgkins
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
keywords: ADHD; crime; diagnosis; incarcerated; offender; prevalence; prison