P0314 - ADHD and stimulant use among girls in the USA: A trend analysis by gender

Abstract

Background and Aims:

To use a single national data source to discern trends in the prevalence of office-based visits resulting in a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among girls, and trends in the prescribing of stimulant pharmacotherapy for its treatment in the United States (U.S.).

Methods:

Data from the U.S. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were utilized for this analysis. The number and rate of office-based physician visits resulting in a diagnosis of ADHD (ICD-9-CM code 314.00 or 314.01) were discerned for the years 1991 through 2004, for children and adolescents aged 5 through 18 years. Gender-specific trend analyses were conducted using seven two-year time intervals.

Results:

Overall, the annualized number of office-based visits documenting a diagnosis of ADHD increased from 1,302,632 in 1991-92, to 6,513,479 in 2003-04. The annualized mean number of office-based visits documenting a diagnosis of ADHD among girls increased five-fold between 1991-92, and 2003-04 (from 296,389 to 1,473,854). The U.S. population-adjusted rate of office visits documenting a diagnosis of ADHD among girls increased 4.3-fold (from 12.3 per 1,000 girls to 52.6). Documentation of a diagnosis of ADHD and the prescribing of stimulant pharmacotherapy increased 4.2-fold for girls, from 7.5 per 1,000 girls in 1991-92, to 31.4 in 2003-04.

Conclusion:

Although the number and rate of office-based visits among boys documenting a diagnosis of ADHD still far exceeds that of girls (3.4:1), the magnitude of the increase was as great among girls as boys during this time period, and contributed significantly to the overall upward trend.