Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficithyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis

BackgroundIn spite of the growing literature about adult attention-deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relatively little is known about theprevalence and correlates of this disorder.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of adult ADHD and to identify its demographiccorrelates using meta-regression analysi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of psychiatry Vol. 194; no. 3; pp. 204 - 211
Main Authors Simon, Viktória, Czobor Pál, Sára, Bálint, Mészáros Ágnes, Bitter István
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Cambridge University Press 01.03.2009
Subjects
Adults
Age
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Comorbidity
Epidemiology
Meta-analysis
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Studies
Systematic review
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Summary:BackgroundIn spite of the growing literature about adult attention-deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relatively little is known about theprevalence and correlates of this disorder.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of adult ADHD and to identify its demographiccorrelates using meta-regression analysis.MethodWe used the MEDLINE, PsycLit and EMBASE databases as well ashand-searching to find relevant publications.ResultsThe pooled prevalence of adult ADHD was 2.5% (95% CI 2.1–3.1). Gender andmean age, interacting with each other, were significantly related toprevalence of ADHD. Metaregression analysis indicated that the proportionof participants with ADHD decreased with age when men and women wereequally represented in the sample.ConclusionsPrevalence of ADHD in adults declines with age in the general population.We think, however, that the unclear validity of DSM–IV diagnosticcriteria for this condition can lead to reduced prevalence rates byunderestimation of the prevalence of adult ADHD.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.bp.107.048827