Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD in the United States: Update by Gender and Race.
Objective:The aim of this article is to update ADHD diagnosis/treatment trends by age, gender, and race.Method:National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data were obtained for 2008-2009 to 2012-2013. Physician office visits including ADHD diagnosis and pharmacotherapy were measured per 1,000 population and per 1,000 office visits overall, and by demographic group. Logistic regression models controlled for demographics, psychiatric comorbidities, insurance type, and time period. Interactions of time, demographics, comorbidities, and insurance type were tested.Results:Diagnoses of ADHD increased by 36% in adults and 18% in youth, and diagnosis + drug by 29% in female and 10% in male youths. ADHD diagnosis was 77% less likely among Black than White adults but 24% more likely among Black than White youths in 2012-2013. Conduct disorder (CD) in youths multiplied odds of diagnosis + drug by 3.31; interaction of Black race × CD by 3.78.Conclusion:Upward trends in ADHD diagnosis and treatment have continued but vary markedly by group. Studies of undertreatment/overtreatment are needed.
Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
Kathleen A
KA
Fairman
Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
Alyssa M
AM
Peckham
Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
David A
DA
Sclar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D019955:Conduct Disorder; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
ADHD; epidemiology; gender; prescription prevalence; race