Measuring Quality Care for Adult ADHD Patients: How Much Does Gender and Gender Identity Matter?

Abstract

Objective: Studies show adult ADHD presents differently in men and women, however few studies contrast ADHD in cisgender and gender diverse adults. We assessed care differences between these groups using previously identified quality measures (QMs). Methods: Using EHR data, we matched a group of male ADHD patients to a female group. We followed the same procedure with a cisgender group and one identified as gender diverse through a gender dysphoria diagnosis. QM achievement was measured using logistic regression models. Results: Most QMs exhibited increasing achievement over time for all groups. Variations in care quality between males and females persisted, with female patients achieving QMs more often. There were no appreciable differences between the cisgender and gender diverse groups. Conclusion: Though quality care for adult ADHD improved from 2010 to 2020, differences between male and female patients lingered. This effect was not observed in cisgender and gender diverse patients.