Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and serial missed appointments in general practice

Ross McQueenie; David Ellis; Andrea Williamson; Philip Wilson

doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000045

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and serial missed appointments in general practice

Ross McQueenie, David Ellis, Andrea Williamson, Philip Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Missingness’ in health care has recently been flagged as a major challenge due to associations between missing multiple appointments and poor long-term outcomes. Patients with mental health problems, for example, can have difficulties maintaining continuity of care and miss appointments with adverse consequences including increased mortality. This is especially problematic for those with a diagnosis of ADHD because it is relatively common, with an estimated prevalence of 2-5% of the population. This study therefore aimed to a) establish the prevalence of recorded ADHD b) characterise and compare GP attendees with and without ADHD on health and social variables, and c) assess whether ADHD was associated with an increased risk of missing scheduled appointments in general practice.

Methods and Findings: Using administrative data from 136 Scottish general practices, patients with at least one GP appointment between September 2013-2016 we identified those with ADHD based on data on diagnoses/ prescriptions. Each case was matched (sex and age) to five randomly selected GP attendees. Groups were compared regarding health, social status and missed appointments. All results were stratified by age <18 or ≥18 years. Among 824,374 GP patients we identified 2,452 with a record of ADHD (0.8% among those <18 years; 0.2% age ≥18 years). ADHD was associated with living in socially deprived areas of Scotland, and multimorbidity was more frequent in adults (p<0.01). Adjusting for the number of total appointments made, ADHD was associated missing GP appointments (<18 years: OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.4-1.9; ≥18 years: OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.7-2.2). Annually 21% in those <18 and 38% of those age ≥18 years missed at least one GP appointment.

Conclusions: The prevalence of recorded ADHD in Scottish general practice is low but comparable to other studies using data derived from medical records. More importantly, this is the first study to demonstrate an association between ADHD and missingness in general practice. The findings have important implications for health services concerning the early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.

Original language	English
Journal	PLOS Mental Health
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000045
Publication status	Published - 8 Jul 2024

Data Availability Statement

These data were made available from NHS Scotland but restrictions apply to sharing. Specifically, data were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Requests to access these data in the same manner as the authors can be made to http://www.escro.co.uk/ for general practice data and to https://www.isdscotland.org/Products-and-Services/eDRIS/ who will host the analysis in a secure environment.

Funding

This study was funded by a grant awarded to AW, DAE and PW from the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government (reference CZH/4/1118), with Safe Haven and data linkage costs supported in lieu by the DSLS at Scottish Government. The funding sources for this analysis had no influence over study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, the writing of the report or the decision to submit for publication. https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1371/journal.pmen.0000045Licence: CC BY

Developing interventions to reduce ‘‘missingness’’ in health care
Ellis, D. (PI)
National Institute for Health Research
1/12/22 → 28/02/25
Project: Central government, health and local authorities

Cite this

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title = "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and serial missed appointments in general practice",

abstract = "Background: Missingness{\textquoteright} in health care has recently been flagged as a major challenge due to associations between missing multiple appointments and poor long-term outcomes. Patients with mental health problems, for example, can have difficulties maintaining continuity of care and miss appointments with adverse consequences including increased mortality. This is especially problematic for those with a diagnosis of ADHD because it is relatively common, with an estimated prevalence of 2-5% of the population. This study therefore aimed to a) establish the prevalence of recorded ADHD b) characterise and compare GP attendees with and without ADHD on health and social variables, and c) assess whether ADHD was associated with an increased risk of missing scheduled appointments in general practice. Methods and Findings: Using administrative data from 136 Scottish general practices, patients with at least one GP appointment between September 2013-2016 we identified those with ADHD based on data on diagnoses/ prescriptions. Each case was matched (sex and age) to five randomly selected GP attendees. Groups were compared regarding health, social status and missed appointments. All results were stratified by age <18 or ≥18 years. Among 824,374 GP patients we identified 2,452 with a record of ADHD (0.8% among those <18 years; 0.2% age ≥18 years). ADHD was associated with living in socially deprived areas of Scotland, and multimorbidity was more frequent in adults (p<0.01). Adjusting for the number of total appointments made, ADHD was associated missing GP appointments (<18 years: OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.4-1.9; ≥18 years: OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.7-2.2). Annually 21% in those <18 and 38% of those age ≥18 years missed at least one GP appointment. Conclusions: The prevalence of recorded ADHD in Scottish general practice is low but comparable to other studies using data derived from medical records. More importantly, this is the first study to demonstrate an association between ADHD and missingness in general practice. The findings have important implications for health services concerning the early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.",

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ER -

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and serial missed appointments in general practice

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Funding

UN SDGs

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Projects

Developing interventions to reduce ‘‘missingness’’ in health care

Cite this