Sex differences in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A population-based study

Summary & key facts

This study looked at 900 adults with ADHD (54.9% male, mean age 36.9 years) to compare men and women and different ADHD subtypes. Women had worse ADHD symptoms, more depression and anxiety, lower substance use, poorer social functioning, and greater disability than men. The combined ADHD subtype showed the most severe problems overall. The only place sex and subtype interacted was disability: women with the combined subtype had the highest impairment. Results are statistical comparisons (with reported p-values) from patients seen in an adult ADHD program in Barcelona.

Key facts:

• The study included 900 adults with ADHD; 54.9% were male and the mean age was 36.94 ± 11.93 years.
• The combined ADHD subtype was the most common, present in 48.2% of participants.
• Females showed greater ADHD severity than males (p < 0.001).
• Females had higher levels of depression (p = 0.003) and anxiety (p < 0.001) compared with males.
• Females had lower rates of substance use than males (p < 0.001).
• Females had poorer psychosocial functioning (p = 0.039) and greater disability (p = 0.001) than males.
• There were no significant sex differences in the distribution of ADHD subtypes or in the reported age when dysfunctional symptoms began; however, females were diagnosed later than males (p < 0.001).
• The combined ADHD subtype was linked to greater clinical severity, more depressive, anxiety, and impulsive symptoms, higher substance use rates, and greater disability than other subtypes.
• A statistically significant interaction between sex and ADHD subtype was found only for disability. Women with the combined subtype had the most pronounced disability in this sample.

Abstract

ADHD presents differently across sexes and subtypes, with specific interactions influencing disability. These findings emphasize the importance of considering sex and ADHD subtype independently to enhance diagnostic accuracy and develop targeted treatment strategies.

Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Mind wandering and attention Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Attention deficit Attention deficit disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Clinical psychology Developmental psychology Psychiatry Psychology

Conditions & symptoms

ADHD Anxiety Depression Substance abuse disorder Addiction or harmful habbits Anxiety or worry Difficulty focusing Sadness or low mood