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Review
. 2009 Mar;194(3):204-11.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.048827.

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

Viktória Simon  1 , Pál Czobor, Sára Bálint, Agnes Mészáros, István Bitter
Affiliations
Review

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

Viktória Simon et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2009 Mar.

Abstract

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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