16.1 Section Title

Topic:

How Has the Rate of ADHD Diagnosis Changed over Time?

Statistical Concepts Covered:

In this applet, you will continue to investigate issues with research design related to sampling and measurement by using meta-analysis, which is the analysis of many studies at once.

Introduction

The text chapters discuss various mental disorders and their symptoms, including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the role of various treatment options in helping those who have a mental disorder. ADHD is observed via a pattern of problems at home and school due to difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsiveness. The data for this applet comes from a meta-analysis by Faraone, Sergeant, Gillberg, and Biederman (2003). A meta-analysis is a study using the results from multiple studies are evaluated to determine the overall effect or difference. During this evaluation we must keep in mind the importance of sampling and measurement involved in the various studies.

Faraone and colleagues evaluated multiple studies conducted around the world to compare the percentage of individuals who met the criteria for ADHD based on location (U.S. or non-U.S.), gender (males or mixed), measurement type (rating scale, interview, or both), and rater (parent, teacher, or subject). In this applet we will also evaluate the diagnosis rates in relation to when changes were made to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and when new drugs were released for this disorder. The dates for these are listed below:

Diagnosis Date Drug Introduction Date
1902: ADHD first described by Sir George Still
1922: "Post Encephalitic Brain Disorder"
1937: Benzedrine
1952: DSM-I
1955: Ritalin
1960: Adderall
1968: DSM-II
1968: DSM-III
1982: Ritalin SR
1987: DSM-III-R
1994: DSM-IV
1999: Metadate ER
2000: DSM-IV-TR
2000: Concerta
2001: Focalin
2001: Adderall XR
2002: Strattera
2005: Focalin XR
2006: Daytrana
2007: Vyvanse
2009: Inutniv
2010: Kapvay
2013: DSM-5
Table : Example data:

Richard Alan Hullinger, Indiana University, Bloomington
Melanie Maggard, University of the Rockies

Question 1

In order to best interpret results and infer conclusions from them, we must take into consideration the sample used for a study. For the studies used in this applet, compare the prevalence of ADHD in the samples for U.S. studies and Non-U.S. studies. (Select “All” for the location and “None” for the all of the other fields.)
Correct.
Incorrect. Both locations reported their highest percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD between 1990 and 1995. However, there doesn’t seem to be any clear differences between the two sample locations as sometimes U.S. studies reported higher rates and other times non-U.S. studies reported higher rates.
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