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news.A US nationwide study has revealed that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is growing at a much faster rate among adults than children, with adult women appearing in particularly high numbers in the analyses.
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According to the analysis by Medco Health Solutions, the number of younger adults aged 20-44 using ADHD medications more than doubled from 2000 to 2004, outpacing increases in the pediatric population by nearly 44%. In addition, spending on ADHD drugs for the 20-44 age group grew by more than 325% during the same time period.
“This analysis clearly shows that ADHD is no longer just about children. Adults are increasingly seeking diagnosis and treatment for themselves – not just for their kids,” said Dr Robert Epstein, chief medical officer, Medco. “Although it’s surprising to see this shift, it is in line with research that shows that half the children on medication for ADHD will still need drug therapy as adults.”
The Medco analysis, which reviewed the prescription data of 2.4 million patients also shows a significant jump in the number of adult women taking medications to treat ADHD. Among females aged 20-44, use of ADHD medications has more than doubled over the four-year analysis period, a growth rate 21% greater than their male counterparts.
During 2004 use of the ADHD medications among adult women between the ages of 20 and 64 was equal to that of men in the same age group, a major contrast to data from the pediatric population, which reveals use of ADHD medications is twice as high in boys as it is in girls.