The British Journal of Psychiatry (2009) 194: 204-211. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.048827
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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REVIEW ARTICLE

Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis

Viktória Simon, MD

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary

Pál Czobor, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary, and Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA

Sára Bálint, MS, Ágnes Mészáros, MS and István Bitter, MD, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary

Correspondence: Dr Viktória Simon, Semmelweis University Budapest, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Balassa u. 6, Budapest H-1083, Hungary. Email: simonviktoria{at}psych.sote.hu

Declaration of interest

None.

Background

In spite of the growing literature about adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relatively little is known about the prevalence and correlates of this disorder.

Aims

To estimate the prevalence of adult ADHD and to identify its demographic correlates using meta-regression analysis.

Method

We used the MEDLINE, PsycLit and EMBASE databases as well as hand-searching to find relevant publications.

Results

The pooled prevalence of adult ADHD was 2.5% (95% CI 2.1–3.1). Gender and mean age, interacting with each other, were significantly related to prevalence of ADHD. Meta-regression analysis indicated that the proportion of participants with ADHD decreased with age when men and women were equally represented in the sample.

Conclusions

Prevalence of ADHD in adults declines with age in the general population. We think, however, that the unclear validity of DSM–IV diagnostic criteria for this condition can lead to reduced prevalence rates by underestimation of the prevalence of adult ADHD.


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