Temporal Trends in ADHD Prevalence, 1997–2016

Abstract

Research Article| December 01 2018 Temporal Trends in ADHD Prevalence, 1997–2016 AAP Grand Rounds (2018) 40 (6): 67. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.40-6-67 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Temporal Trends in ADHD Prevalence, 1997–2016. AAP Grand Rounds December 2018; 40 (6): 67. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.40-6-67 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Source: Xu G, Strathearn L, Liu B, et al. Twenty-year trends in diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among US children and adolescents, 1997–2016. JAMA Network Open. 2018; 1(4): e181471; doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1471Google Scholar Investigators from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to estimate the current prevalence of diagnosed ADHD among US youth and evaluate trends in prevalence during the period 1997–2016. NHIS is a cross-sectional in-person survey conducted annually by the CDC and is used to generate nationally representative data on the health of the US population. For households with children, one child is randomly chosen for the survey, with survey responses provided by caregivers. For the current study, the investigators abstracted data on children 4–17 years old who were included in the NHIS between 1997–2016. The primary outcome was a diagnosis of ADHD, based on response to the question, “Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that [sample child] had…ADHD?” Demographic data, including race/ethnicity, gender, household income and region of the country, were also abstracted. A nationally representative estimated overall prevalence of ADHD and prevalence of ADHD in subgroups during 2015–2016 were calculated. Regression analysis was used to assess changes in prevalence between 1997 and 2016, and chisquare tests were used to assess differences among subgroups. Overall, data were collected on 186,457 children during the study period. The nationally estimated prevalence of a diagnosis of ADHD among children 4–17 years old in 2015–2016 was 10.2% (95% CI, 9.6%, 10.8%). The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than girls (14.0% vs 6.3%, P<.001) and more common among non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black youth than in those of Hispanic ethnicity (12.0%, 12.8%, and 6.1%, respectively; P<.001). There was a significant difference in diagnosed ADHD prevalence in different regions of the country (Northeast 10.3%, Midwest 12.2%, South 11.1%, and West 7.0%). Children living in poverty were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those in wealthier households. During the entire study period, there was a significant increase in prevalence of ADHD from 6.1% in 1997–1998, to 10.2% in 2015–2016 (P<.001 for trend). There were also significant increases during this time among all subgroups assessed. The authors conclude that the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD increased significantly between 1997 and 2016. Dr Doherty has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. ADHD is an umbrella category that encompasses individuals with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention beyond what is expected for their overall developmental stage. Rather than a discrete disorder, ADHD likely represents the end of a spectrum of executive function resulting from combined genetic and environmental factors. Nonetheless, categorical diagnosis of ADHD is important because children with ADHD are at increased risk for other neurodevelopmental issues, such as learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant... You do not currently have access to this content.