UK had highest relative increase of five countries in study, with 20-fold rise in proportion of women over 25 using it
The proportion of people in the UK on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication has tripled in the past decade, with a 20-fold increase among women aged 25 and over, a study shows.
Researchers led by the University of Oxford examined electronic health records from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK to estimate the use of ADHD medication among adults and children aged three and above.
Prevalence increased across all five countries between 2010 and 2023, according to the research. The UK had the highest relative increase for all ages, rising more than threefold from 0.12% to 0.39%. In the Netherlands, prevalence more than doubled, from 0.67% to 1.56%.
The results of the study, which tracked methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine, was published in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe journal.
