Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Prevalence of ADHD in nonpsychotic adult psychiatric care (ADPSYC): A multinational cross-sectional study in Europe

Authors: Walter Deberdt, Johannes Thome, Jeremie Lebrec, Susanne Kraemer, Irene Fregenal, J. Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, Muhammad Arif

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often persists into adulthood.
This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of ADHD in adult psychiatric outpatients in several European countries.

Method

ADHD diagnosis was made using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, version 2.0 (DIVA), according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) and 5th Edition (DSM-5).

Results

Of 5662 patients present/approached, 2284 (40.3 %) consented, of whom 1986 patients (87.0 %) completed the study. Based on the DIVA, and applying DSM-IV-TR or DSM-5 criteria, 15.8 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 14.2 %-17.4 %) or 17.4 % (95 % CI 15.7 %-19.0 %) of patients were diagnosed with ADHD, respectively. The prevalence of ADHD was 15.3 % when counting as non-ADHD those patients who screened positive but did not complete the DIVA (DSM-5).

Conclusions

Estimates from this study indicate that a relevant part of the psychiatric outpatient care population suffers from ADHD.
Literature
1.
Sobanski E, Bruggemann D, Alm B, Kern S, Deschner M, Schubert T, et al. Psychiatric comorbidity and functional impairment in a clinically referred sample of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2007;257:371–7.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Sobanski E, Bruggemann D, Alm B, Kern S, Philipsen A, Schmalzried H, et al. Subtype differences in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with regard to ADHD-symptoms, psychiatric comorbidity and psychosocial adjustment. Eur Psychiatry. 2008;23:142–9.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Able SL, Johnston JA, Adler LA, Swindle RW. Functional and psychosocial impairment in adults with undiagnosed ADHD. Psychol Med. 2007;37:97–107.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Biederman J, Faraone SV. The effects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on employment and household income. MedGenMed. 2006;8:12.PubMedPubMedCentral
5.
De Graaf R, Kessler RC, Fayyad J, Ten Have M, Alonso J, Angermeyer M, et al. The prevalence and effects of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the performance of workers: results from the WHO World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Occup Environ Med. 2008;65:835–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
Kupper T, Haavik J, Drexler H, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Wermelskirchen D, Prutz C, et al. The negative impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on occupational health in adults and adolescents. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2012;85:837–47.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Ludolph AG, Kolch M, Plener PL, Schulze UM, Sprober N, Fegert JM. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and road traffic - special considerations for the treatment of adolescents with ADHD. Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother. 2009;37:405–11.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, Fletcher K. Young adult outcome of hyperactive children: adaptive functioning in major life activities. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006;45:192–202.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Brod M, Pohlman B, Lasser R, Hodgkins P. Comparison of the burden of illness for adults with ADHD across seven countries: a qualitative study. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2012;10:47.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
Edvinsson D, Bingefors K, Lindstrom E, Lewander T. ADHD-related symptoms among adults in out-patient psychiatry and female prison inmates as compared with the general population. Ups J Med Sci. 2010;115:30–40.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
Rosler M, Retz W, Retz-Junginger P, Hengesch G, Schneider M, Supprian T, et al. Prevalence of attention deficit-/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disorders in young male prison inmates. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004;254:365–71.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, Zetterqvist J, Sjolander A, Serlachius E, Fazel S, et al. Medication for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and criminality. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:2006–14.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
Fayyad J, De Graaf R, Kessler R, Alonso J, Angermeyer M, Demyttenaere K, et al. Cross-national prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Br J Psychiatry. 2007;190:402–9.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Simon V, Czobor P, Balint S, Meszaros A, Bitter I. Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2009;194:204–11.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Conners CK, Demler O, et al. The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:716–23.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
Almeida Montes LG, Hernandez Garcia AO, Ricardo-Garcell J. ADHD prevalence in adult outpatients with nonpsychotic psychiatric illnesses. J Atten Disord. 2007;11:150–6.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Rao P, Place M. Prevalence of ADHD in four general adult outpatient clinics in North East England. Prog Neurol Psychiatry. 2011;15:7–10.CrossRef
18.
[APA] American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2000.
19.
[APA] American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.CrossRef
20.
Kooij SJ, Bejerot S, Blackwell A, Caci H, Casas-Brugue M, Carpentier PJ, et al. European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD. BMC Psychiatry. 2010;10:67.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, Demler O, Faraone S, Hiripi E, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med. 2005;35:245–56.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Houston JP, Kroenke K, Faries DE, Doebbeling CC, Adler LA, Ahl J, et al. A provisional screening instrument for four common mental disorders in adult primary care patients. Psychosomatics. 2011;52:48–55.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Kooij JJS. Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults 2.0 (DIVA 2.0). Adult ADHD. Diagnostic assessment and treatment. Amsterdam: Pearson Assessment and Information BV; 2010.
24.
Guy W. ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology, Revised. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; 1976.
25.
Sheehan DV. The anxiety disease. New York: Bantam Books; 1983.
26.
27.
28.
Sprafkin J, Gadow KD, Weiss MD, Schneider J, Nolan EE. Psychiatric comorbidity in ADHD symptom subtypes in clinic and community adults. J Atten Disord. 2007;11:114–24.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Faraone SV, Biederman J, Spencer T, Wilens T, Seidman LJ, Mick E, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: an overview. Biol Psychiatry. 2000;48:9–20.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Van Emmerik-van OK, van de Glind G, van den Brink W, Smit F, Crunelle CL, Swets M, et al. Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in substance use disorder patients: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012;122:11–9.CrossRef
31.
Wender PH, Wolf LE, Wasserstein J. Adults with ADHD. An overview. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001;931:1–16.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Biederman J, Monuteaux MC, Spencer T, Wilens TE, Faraone SV. Do stimulants protect against psychiatric disorders in youth with ADHD? A 10-year follow-up study. Pediatrics. 2009;124:71–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
Seidman LJ, Biederman J, Weber W, Hatch M, Faraone SV. Neuropsychological function in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 1998;44:260–8.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Rotger S, Richarte V, Nogueira M, Corrales M, Bosch R, Vidal R, et al. Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST): validity and reliability in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014;264:719–27.CrossRefPubMed
35.
van de Glind G, Konstenius M, Koeter MW, van Emmerik-van Oortmerssen K, Carpentier PJ, Kaye S, et al. Variability in the prevalence of adult ADHD in treatment seeking substance use disorder patients: results from an international multi-center study exploring DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014;134:158–66.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Kooij J, Boonstra AM, Swinkels SHN, Bekker EM, De Noord I, Buitelaar JK. Reliability, validity, and utility of instruments for self-report and informant report concerning symptoms of ADHD in adult patients. J Atten Disord. 2008;11:445–58.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Prevalence of ADHD in nonpsychotic adult psychiatric care (ADPSYC): A multinational cross-sectional study in Europe
Authors
Walter Deberdt
Johannes Thome
Jeremie Lebrec
Susanne Kraemer
Irene Fregenal
J. Antoni Ramos-Quiroga
Muhammad Arif
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0624-5

Other articles of this Issue 1/2015

BMC Psychiatry 1/2015 Go to the issue

Study protocol

Shared Decision Making in mental health care using Routine Outcome Monitoring as a source of information: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Research article

Major depressive disorder seven years after the conflict in northern Uganda: burden, risk factors and impact on outcomes (The Wayo-Nero Study)

Research article

Suicidal behaviors among Moroccan school students: prevalence and association with socio-demographic characteristics and psychoactive substances use: a cross-sectional study

Research article

The situation of former adolescent self-injurers as young adults: a follow-up study

Research article

Using social media for support and feedback by mental health service users: thematic analysis of a twitter conversation

Research article

The attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff toward hospitalization and treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder