title: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Use Among Teens and Young Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine rates of stimulant/atomoxetine use among teens (aged 12-17 years) and young adults (aged 18-23 years) and to investigate associations in medication use before and after the transition from teen to young adult.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated cross-sectional analyses using the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample included all teens and young adults between 2003 and 2012. Within this group, a staggered sample of individuals between 2006 and 2012 born during a 5-year range was used to minimize false positive findings due to temporal trends. The primary outcome was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use (two or more prescriptions and ≥60 tablets). A multivariable logistic regression was utilized to determine associations between ADHD medication use and race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 62,699 individuals were included between 2003 and 2012. Rates of ADHD medication use increased for both teens (4.2%-6.0%) and young adults (1.2%-2.6%) between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. In adjusted analysis, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians had lower rates of use compared with whites. The decrease in use among young adults was more pronounced among blacks compared with whites. A usual source of care and health insurance were less common among young adults, and both were associated with ADHD medication use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there has been an increase in the use of ADHD medications in both teens and young adults, we found a drop-off in levels of ADHD treatment among young adults when compared with teens. A portion of this decrease appears to be related to race/ethnicity, usual source of care, and health insurance status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Electronic address: Michael.Johansen@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matic
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Division of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Ann Scheck
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: McAlearney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants
keywords: Adolescent medicine; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Racial disparity; Stimulants