Under-diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in one of non-Western country-Taiwan

The empirical diagnose rate of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in non-Western country is scant. This study determine the diagnostic rates of ADHD specific to age, gender, and subtype in children under 18 in Taiwan by examining national insurance claims data. 31,074 children (<18 years) having at least one outpatient visit with a primary diagnosis of ADHD in 2005 according to outpatient care claims data from the National Health Insurance Research database were included. Diagnostic prevalence of ADHD was 0.59%; fell in unexpected under-diagnosis of ADHD than 5% prevalence of ADHD from the nationwide community data. Only boys, aged from 6 to 11, ADHD combined subtyped are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Under-diagnosis of ADHD among child and adolescent is an urgent child mental problem in one of Non-western country. Policy maker in Taiwan should design more educational program to improve the early recognition of child and adolescent with ADHD.