pidemiology
“A mean worldwide prevalence of ADHD of ~2.2% overall (range: 0.1–8.1%) has been estimated in children and adolescents (aged <18 years). The mean prevalence of ADHD in adults (aged 18–44 years) from a range of countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East was reported as ~2.8% overall (range: 0.6–7.3%)”.
Age
ADHD can affect people of all ages and its prevalence rates differ between children, adolescents and adults.
An epidemiological study of 20 countries from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys found that the prevalence rates of ADHD in children and adolescents were highest in the USA (8.1%) and lowest in Iraq (0.1%), Poland (0.3%) and Romania (0.4%).
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ADHD was reported to persist into adulthood in an estimated 50–65% of patients.
Gender
According to gender, higher prevalence of ADHD is reported in males compared to females.
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Figure shows the prevalence of male to female ratios in child and adult ADHD by European country.
Source: Novik TS et al, Eur CHild Adolesc Psychiatry 2006; 15(Suppl 1): I15-I24.