ADHD estimates in medical students depended heavily on how studies measured it
A systematic review found wide variation across countries and assessment methods, making a single prevalence figure difficult to interpret.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found widely varying estimates of ADHD, possible ADHD, or ADHD symptoms among medical students. Studies used different questionnaires, thresholds, interviews, and self-report approaches. Those differences matter when comparing prevalence: the abstract does not provide a single pooled estimate, and its results do not establish that medical education causes ADHD or raises its prevalence.
Assessment methods and thresholds differed across studies. The abstract does not report study durations or a pooled prevalence estimate, limiting conclusions about how common clinically diagnosed ADHD is overall.
What researchers found
Reported prevalence of ADHD or related symptoms
Across studies, the lowest estimate used self-report and the highest an ASRS screener. This is a range of study estimates; assessment periods were not reported.
Why measurement changes the picture
The most common instrument was the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, but studies used different cutoffs and subscales. Other approaches included structured clinical interviews, so the included estimates did not all reflect the same assessment process.
What this review can establish
This was a review of prevalence, with substantial variation even within regions. The authors discuss possible explanations and support needs, but the reported results do not test whether educational stress causes the symptoms.
The original publication
Systematic review on prevalence of ADHD, possible ADHD or ADHD symptoms in medical students.
Lee NYW, Zhang MWB
Front Psychiatry · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41409340
- Record checked
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