Trends of incident adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnoses before, during and after the pandemic provincial state of emergency in British Columbia (2013-2023): a population-based study.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Population-based interrupted time series analysis using linked administrative health records
PubMed 41282502 · doi:10.1016/j.lana.2025.101223
What was done
Researchers conducted an interrupted time series analysis of monthly incidence rates of adult ADHD diagnoses in British Columbia, Canada, from January 2013 through November 2023 using linked population-based administrative health databases. Trends were evaluated across pre-pandemic, pandemic (March 2020 to June 2021), and post-pandemic periods, and stratified by demographic characteristics and history of substance use disorder (SUD) or other mental disorders.
What was found
The pre-pandemic baseline rate of newly diagnosed adult ADHD averaged 8.8 cases per 100,000 population per month. During the pandemic provincial state of emergency, the average monthly incidence reached 19.2 per 100,000, rising at 4.9% per month (95% CI: 3.7% to 6.2%). Immediately following the end of the state of emergency in July 2021, monthly incidence jumped by 107.3% (95% CI: 68.5% to 155.0%) and continued growing at 1.5% per month (95% CI: 0.4% to 2.7%), reaching a post-pandemic average of 34.8 cases per 100,000 monthly. Trend differences were observed across sex and SUD history strata, though specific subgroup numerical estimates were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study documents a substantial and sustained surge in adult ADHD diagnoses during and after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Because ADHD frequently co-occurs with substance use disorders, these diagnostic shifts highlight an increasing demand for integrated mental health and addiction care services.
Limits
The total sample size (individual patient counts) is not stated in the abstract. Administrative diagnostic codes capture health service utilization and clinician billing rather than true underlying population prevalence, meaning shifts in public awareness, virtual care access, or diagnostic practices could confound observed trends. Subgroup-specific rates and confidence intervals for demographic and clinical strata were omitted from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports There is an increasing trend of adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s receiving new diagnoses of ADHD.