The use of medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has seen significant growth across Europe in recent years, with a marked increase among adults, particularly women. This trend is highlighted in a comprehensive study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, which analyzed health data spanning from 2010 to 2023 across five European nations: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Researchers from the Data Analysis and Real World Interrogation Network (DARWIN EU) examined electronic health records from over 198,000 individuals, revealing that ADHD medication use has more than tripled in the UK and more than doubled in the Netherlands during the study period.
Notable Increases Among Adults
The most striking increases in medication use were observed among adults aged 25 and older. In the UK, ADHD medication usage surged more than twenty-fold among women and fifteen-fold among men in this age group. While males historically have had higher rates of ADHD medication prescriptions, the gap between the sexes has narrowed significantly.
Xintong Li, the lead author from the University of Oxford, stated, “We observed a consistent increase in ADHD medication use across Europe, but the most striking changes were among adults, especially women.” This shift reflects a growing recognition of adult ADHD, yet it also raises critical questions about the long-term treatment patterns and care needs of this population.
Implications for Healthcare Systems
According to Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, senior author of the study, understanding how ADHD medications are utilized in real-world clinical settings is vital for effective healthcare planning. “These data can help health systems anticipate demand and reduce the risk of future medication shortages, while also highlighting populations that may need closer monitoring,” he explained.
The study found that methylphenidate remains the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication across all five countries. Newer treatments, such as lisdexamfetamine and guanfacine, have also shown steady uptake following their market approval. Despite the increase in prescriptions, the continuation rate of treatment after initiation varies significantly among countries, suggesting potential gaps in long-term management.
The findings underscore the need for healthcare systems to adapt to the increasing recognition of ADHD as a lifelong condition. With ongoing shortages of ADHD medications in parts of Europe, the study highlights the urgency for healthcare providers to plan effectively for rising demand.
This research, titled “Trends in use of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications among children and adults in five European countries, 2010 to 2023: a population-based observational study,” serves as a crucial resource for understanding the evolving landscape of ADHD treatment across Europe.