OBJECTIVE: This study examines demographic trends in the use of medications to treat ADHD in adult and pediatric populations. METHOD: Using pharmacy claims data for a large population of commercially insured Americans, the study measures ADHD treatment prevalence and drug use from 2000 to 2005. RESULTS: In 2005, 4.4% of children (ages 0 to 19) and 0.8% of adults (ages 20 and older) used ADHD medications. Treatment rates were higher in boys (6.1%) than in girls (2.6%), but the rates for men and women were approximately equal (0.8%). During the period of the study, treatment prevalence increased rapidly (11.8% per year) for the population as a whole. Treatment rates grew more rapidly for adults than for children, more rapidly for women than for men, and more rapidly for girls than for boys. CONCLUSION: Improved identification of ADHD in adult and female patients has contributed to rapid growth in ADHD medication use.
OBJECTIVE: This study examines demographic trends in the use of medications to treat ADHD in adult and pediatric populations. METHOD: Using pharmacy claims data for a large population of commercially insured Americans, the study measures ADHD treatment prevalence and drug use from 2000 to 2005. RESULTS: In 2005, 4.4% of children (ages 0 to 19) and 0.8% of adults (ages 20 and older) used ADHD medications. Treatment rates were higher in boys (6.1%) than in girls (2.6%), but the rates for men and women were approximately equal (0.8%). During the period of the study, treatment prevalence increased rapidly (11.8% per year) for the population as a whole. Treatment rates grew more rapidly for adults than for children, more rapidly for women than for men, and more rapidly for girls than for boys. CONCLUSION: Improved identification of ADHD in adult and female patients has contributed to rapid growth in ADHD medication use.
Authors: Craig F Garfield; E Ray Dorsey; Shu Zhu; Haiden A Huskamp; Rena Conti; Stacie B Dusetzina; Ashley Higashi; James M Perrin; Rachel Kornfield; G Caleb Alexander Journal: Acad Pediatr Date: 2012-02-10 Impact factor: 3.107
Authors: Catherine A Fullerton; Arnold M Epstein; Richard G Frank; Sharon-Lise T Normand; Christina X Fu; Thomas G McGuire Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2012-02-01 Impact factor: 3.084
Authors: Brandon L Warren; Sergio D Iñiguez; Lyonna F Alcantara; Katherine N Wright; Eric M Parise; Sarah K Weakley; Carlos A Bolaños-Guzmán Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2011-07-13 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: David Alter; Joel A Beverley; Ronak Patel; Carlos A Bolaños-Guzmán; Heinz Steiner Journal: J Psychopharmacol Date: 2017-07-18 Impact factor: 4.153