The Prevalence and Treatment of ADHD in Spain: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the prevalence and incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and analyze variations in its treatment across Spain. Method: Analyses were performed using IQVIA’s clinical practice RealWorld Database, the electronic medical records of some 1 million patients from 2013 to 2018. MPH treatment was assessed using the Defined Daily Dose (DDD), MPH sales were extracted from IQVIA’s Sell-Out database and the number of active psychiatrists from IQVIA’s OneKey Database. Results: Significantly higher ADHD prevalence and incidence (1) in children than in adults and (2) in males compared to females. 91% of patients take MPH. Regional variations in MPH consumption range from 247 Daily Dose per Inhabitant (DDI) per 100,000 inhabitants to 414. Conclusion: ADHD continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in adults, and more so in females. The lack of diagnostic tools for adults and the variations in treatment across the country need to be addressed.