A survey of adult referrals to specialist attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder clinics in Canada

Figures & data

Table 1 Patients’ demographic characteristics for the overall sample and by ADHD status

Characteristic, n (%)	Overall (N=515)	ADHD confirmed (n=483)	ADHD not confirmed (n=32)
Sex
Male	310 (60.2)	287 (59.4)	23 (71.9)
Female	205 (39.8)	196 (40.6)	9 (28.1)
Age, years
18–25	176 (34.2)	165 (34.2)	11 (34.4)
26–45	252 (48.9)	236 (48.9)	16 (50.0)
46–65	83 (16.1)	79 (16.4)	4 (12.5)
>65	4 (0.8)	3 (0.6)	1 (3.1)
Employment status
College student	173 (33.6)	166 (34.4)	7 (21.9)
Employed, young adult	52 (10.1)	48 (9.9)	4 (12.5)
Employed, adult	197 (38.3)	186 (38.5)	11 (34.4)
Unemployed, adult	93 (18.1)	83 (17.2)	10 (31.3)

Note: Percentage may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Abbreviation: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Figure 1 Delay between referral and the initial consultation with the adult ADHD specialist (n=505^a).

Note: ^aA total of 10 of the 515 patients’ CRFs did not have the referral date and are not included in this figure.
Abbreviations: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; CRF, case report form.

Figure 2 Prevalence of ADHD symptoms^a among patients with confirmed ADHD (n=483).

Notes: ^aCombined from reason for referral, complaints as verbalized by the patient, and symptoms as interpreted by the specialist. Patients could have more than one symptom.
Abbreviation: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Figure 3 Prevalence of comorbid symptoms^a noted by the specialist or the referring physician among patients with confirmed ADHD (n=483).

Notes: ^aComorbidities were interpreted only as “comorbid symptoms” as they were not always reported in the CRFs as a specific, confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis. Patients could have more than one comorbid symptom.
Abbreviations: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; CRF, case report form; DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.

Figure 4 Impact of ADHD on daily life of adults with confirmed ADHD (n=483).

Notes: Patients could report impact on more than one area of daily life. ^aIncludes all college/university students with confirmed ADHD (n=166). ^bIncludes all patients except college/university students with confirmed ADHD (n=317).
Abbreviation: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Table S1 CRF

Abbreviations: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; CRF, case report form; FM, family medicine; GP, general practitioner; MD, Doctor of Medicine.

Table S2 Categories and predefined list of words used to list the symptoms for each patient

Category	Predefined list of words
Inattention	Inattention, problems with concentration, distraction, carelessness, zones out, problems focusing, daydreams, making mistakes at work, scatterbrained
Hyperactivity	Hyperactivity, restlessness, feels need to move, cannot sit still
Impulsivity	Impulsiveness
Emotional dysregulation	Emotional dysregulation, frustration, irritability, conflict, oppositional, agitated, anger problems, explosive, mood liability
Procrastination	Procrastinates, lack of motivation, does not finish work, inability to complete tasks, decreased interest, hands in assignments late
Disorganization	Disorganized, poor time management
Poor memory	Poor memory, forgetfulness
Others	General cognitive problems, unable to read, difficulty reading, problems with understanding, processing speed slow, difficulty retaining information