Prevalence and Predictors of Multimodal Treatment Among U.S. Adults Newly Diagnosed With ADHD

Although a combined treatment of prescription medication and psychotherapy provides long-term benefits for adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), little is known about the prevalence of receiving such multimodal treatment. This study investigated trends in the prevalence and correlates of multimodal treatment among U.S.-insured adults newly diagnosed with ADHD.

495,180 U.S. adults from the Komodo Healthcare Map with newly diagnosed ADHD in 2017-2021 were included. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate trends in the prevalence of treatment (no treatment, prescription-only, psychotherapy-only, or both) within 3 months from the index ADHD diagnosis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine patient and provider characteristics associated with ADHD treatment. Analysis was conducted in May 2023.

From 2017 to 2021, the prevalence of newly diagnosed ADHD adults receiving multimodal, prescription-only, and psychotherapy-only treatment within 3 months following their first diagnosis increased from 12.9% to 21.4%, 30.2% to 33.3%, and 18.4% to 20.4%, respectively. Over the same period, the prevalence of newly diagnosed ADHD adults receiving no treatment declined from 38.5% to 25%. Relative to their counterparts, the odds of receiving multimodal ADHD treatment were significantly lower (p<0.05) for men, older adults, adults with multiple co-existing conditions, Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, and those living in socially disadvantaged areas. Furthermore, the odds of receiving multimodal treatment were higher (p<0.05) for adults who saw a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or behavioral care (non-physician) provider on their first visit with an ADHD diagnosis, compared to those who saw a physician.

25% of newly diagnosed ADHD adults received no treatment in 2021 and 53.7% only received a single-modality treatment-raising concerns about the potential implications of untreated ADHD or insufficient treatment on the persistence of ADHD-related impairments, morbidity, productivity, and downstream healthcare cost. The study also highlighted potential sociodemographic, clinical, and provider disparities in ADHD treatment.