Affiliation:
1. Department of Medical Sciences Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
2. Department of Women's and Children's Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
3. Smart Psykiatri AB Stockholm Sweden
4. Sence Research AB Uppsala Sweden
5. Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
6. PRIMA Child and Adult Psychiatry Stockholm Sweden
7. Psychology Services Limited London UK
8. Department of Psychology University of Reykjavik Reykjavik Iceland
9. Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
10. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Danderyd Hospital Stockholm Sweden
Abstract
BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with risk taking and negative health‐related outcomes across the lifespan. Due to delay in referral and diagnostics, young females with ADHD may not be identified, nor appropriately supported by adequate interventions.MethodsA total of 85,330 individuals with ADHD, all of whom were residents in Stockholm County between January 01, 2011, and December 31, 2021, were included as participants in this population‐based, cross‐sectional cohort study. Population controls (n = 426,626) were matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). Data was obtained from Regional Healthcare Data Warehouse of Region Stockholm (VAL) in Stockholm County. Exposure was ADHD‐index, defined as the first record of either ICD‐10 F90 diagnosis and/or ATC‐code for stimulant or non‐stimulant ADHD‐medication during the study period. Primary outcome was age at ADHD‐index. Secondary outcome measures were psychiatric comorbidity, pharmacological treatment, and health care utilization, prior to and after ADHD‐index.ResultsFemales were older at ADHD‐index (23.5 years, SD 13.8) compared to males (19.6 years, SD 13.9, 95% CI of difference 3.74–4.11). Overall, females with ADHD showed higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, pharmacological treatment, and health care utilization, compared to males with ADHD and female controls.ConclusionsFemales with ADHD receive diagnosis and treatment for ADHD approximately 4 years later than males. They have a higher burden of comorbid psychiatric conditions and health care utilization, compared to males with ADHD and female controls, both prior to and after ADHD‐index. To prevent long‐term adverse consequences for females with ADHD, methods, and tools for early diagnosis and treatments that mitigate personal suffering and societal burden are warranted.
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Developmental and Educational Psychology,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health