Optimal management of ADHD in older adults

Figures & data

Table 1 Studies regarding the prevalence of ADHD in adults ≥50 years

	N	Age; range (years)	Age; mean (years)	Procedure	Measures	Prevalence of ADHD (%)
Kooij et al^Citation15	1,813	18–75	–	Interview	ADHD DSM-IV rating scale^Citation96	1.0–2.5
Michielsen et al^Citation16	231	60–70 71–94	71	Interview	DIVA 2.0^Citation97	4.0 1.1
Das et al^Citation18	1,907 1,536	48–52 68–74	50.7 70.6	Interview	ASRS screener^Citation19	6.2 2.2
Guldberg-Kjar and Johansson^Citation17	1,599	65–80	72.0	Questionnaire by postal mail	WURS^Citation98	3.3

Abbreviations: ASRS, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale; ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; DIVA, Diagnostic Interview ADHD in adults. Second Edition; DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition; WURS, Wender Utah Rating Scale.

Table 2 Naturalistic studies of pharmacological treatment of ADHD in adults ≥50 years

Author	N	Mean age (years)	Pharmacologic treatment	Doses
Manor et al^Citation60	11	62	All patients treated with MPH and at least 2 months, eight showed improvement	MPH IM 20–35 mg (N=8) MPH LA 60–80 mg (N=2) OROS MPH 72–108 mg (N=1)
Brod et al^Citation47	24	66	All patients had been taking ADHD medication at some time, and most patients reported a beneficial effect of medication
Lensing et al^Citation53	149	56	88% of the participants had been treated with ADHD medication at some time following diagnosis, and 64% used some type of ADHD medication 5 years after diagnosis	Self-reported mean daily dose: MPH 54.1 mg (range: 8–135 mg) Amphetamine 29.5 mg (range: 4–50 mg)

Abbreviations: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; MPH IM, methylphenidate immediate release; MPH LA, methylphenidate long acting; MPH, methylphenidate; OROS, osmotic-release oral system.

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