Use of ADHD drugs in the Nordic countries: a population-based comparison study

  1. H. Zoëga1,
  2. K. Furu2,3,
  3. M. Halldórsson4,
  4. P. H. Thomsen5,
  5. A. Sourander6,
  6. J. E. Martikainen7

Article first published online: 23 SEP 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01607.x

Issue

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Volume 123, Issue 5, pages 360–367, May 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Zoëga, H., Furu, K., Halldórsson, M., Thomsen, P. H., Sourander, A. and Martikainen, J. E. (2011), Use of ADHD drugs in the Nordic countries: a population-based comparison study. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 123: 360–367. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01607.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland

  2. 2

    Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo

  3. 3

    University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

  4. 4

    Division of Administration, Icelandic Directorate of Health, Seltjarnarnes, Iceland

  5. 5

    Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark

  6. 6

    Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University and University Hospital, Turku

  7. 7

    Research Department, Social Insurance Institution, Helsinki, Finland

*Helga Zoega, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Stapi v. Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. E-mail: hez2@hi.is

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 APR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 23 SEP 2010
  3. Accepted for publication August 27, 2010

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Keywords:

  • pharmacoepidemiology;
  • drug utilisation;
  • central nervous system stimulants;
  • prevalence;
  • attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Zoëga H, Furu K, Halldórsson M, Thomsen PH, Sourander A, Martikainen JE. Use of ADHD drugs in the Nordic countries: a population-based comparison study.

Objective:  To compare national use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs between five Nordic countries.

Method:  A population-based drug utilisation study based on nationwide prescription databases, covering in total 24 919 145 individuals in 2007. ADHD drugs defined according to the World Health Organization Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification system as centrally acting sympathomimetics (N06BA).

Results:  The 2007 prevalence of ADHD drug use among the total Nordic population was 2.76 per 1000 inhabitants, varying from 1.23 per 1000 in Finland to 12.46 per 1000 in Iceland. Adjusting for age, Icelanders were nearly five times more likely than Swedes to have used ADHD drugs (Prev.Ratio = 4.53, 95% CI: 4.38–4.69). Prevalence among boys (age 7–15) was fourfold the prevalence among girls (Prev.Ratio = 4.28, 95% CI: 3.70–4.96). The gender ratio was diminished among adults (age 21 +) (Prev.Ratio = 1.24, CI: 1.21–1.27).

Conclusion:  A considerable national variation in use of ADHD drugs exists between the Nordic countries.

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