Indication and Use of Drug Products Used to Treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study with Inference on the Likelihood of Treatment in Adulthood

Abstract

On the basis of comparison of the prevalence rate peak of 70 per 1,000 around age 11 years to a plateau of 7 per 1,000 during the early career years, our results are consistent with a prediction that at least one child in 10 placed on an ADHD medication in childhood will receive treatment in to adulthood. The decrease in the prevalence of use of these medications with advancing age as seen in this cross-sectional study may reflect upon several clinical and secular factors.