ADHD Diagnosis and Drug Use Estimates in France: A Case for Using Health Care Insurance Data.
Objective: Prevalence estimates for ADHD have been debated for decades. In France, the only available study states the prevalence rate in France ranges from 3.5% to 5.6% of children aged 6 to 12. It also evaluates that 3.48% of children aged 6 to 12 are treated with psychostimulants. The article uses a different method to determine whether these estimates hold true. Method: Estimating ADHD diagnosis and methylphenidate prescription rates can be done by analyzing national health care insurance system's data. We used data from the French Healthcare Insurance as reported by the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety. Results: We claim that an adequate estimate of the ADHD prevalence rate in France fluctuates around 0.3% of children aged 6 to 11. Discussion: Methodological biases in ADHD prevalence studies and factors contributing to the low level of prescription in France need to be assessed. Conclusion: We call for supplementary investigations in health care insurance databases to conduct contradictory studies.
['Ponnou|Sébastien|S|0000-0002-4778-9198', 'Haliday|Héloïse|H|']
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants D002648:Child D003695:Delivery of Health Care D005602:France D006801:Humans D007341:Insurance D008774:Methylphenidate D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
prevalence methylphenidate ADD/ADHD