Below is a curated list of published studies related to different aspects of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia, including prevalence, awareness, diagnosis, language and communication, and review articles.
Additional studies from Saudi Arabia, including topics not featured on this page, are available in the research library. We also maintain a list of ADHD-related theses that have been made available online. If you would like your research featured here, or know of any publications in or about ADHD in KSA that you believe should be included here, please get in touch by email at research @ adhd.org.sa.
Note: Unless specifically stated, these studies were neither conducted by nor supported by the Saudi ADHD Society, and are provided as a resource for researchers only.
Review Articles
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Ahmed Hamed Aljadani
- Tahani Salem Alshammari
- Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir
- Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede
- Bushra Mubarak Aldajani
- Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi
- Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni
- Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed
Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Observational studies (case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional) that reported the prevalence and risk factors of ADHD among Saudis and were published in English were included. In March 2022, a computerized search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords associated with ADHD and Saudi Arabia. Two-stage screening and data extraction were performed. The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies was used for the quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis program was used for the analysis. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 455,334 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population was 12.4% (95% CI: 5.4%–26%). For ADHD-Inattentive and ADHD-Hyperactive presentations, the prevalence was 2.9% (95% CI: 0.3%–23.3%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%), respectively. Regarding the combined AD and HD, the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%). Children of women with psychological disorders during pregnancy (P = 0.043), insufficient vitamin B during pregnancy (P = 0.006), allergic reactions (P = 0.032), and disabling symptoms of muscle pain during pregnancy (P = 0.045) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: The prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population is comparable with that in other countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. Careful monitoring of pregnant women, attention to nutritional sufficiency, psychological and emotional support, and avoidance of stressful events may lead to reducing the incidence of ADHD in the offspring.
Funding:
None.
Registration:
PROSPERO (Ref no.: CRD42023390040)
Keywords
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, meta-analysis, prevalence, risk factor, review, Saudi ArabiaCitation
[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Ahmed Hamed Aljadani,Tahani Salem Alshammari,Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir,Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede,Bushra Mubarak Aldajani,Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi,Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni,Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed," year="2023" title="Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" volume="11" issue="2" journal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" shortjournal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" startpage="" endpage="" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22"]Link to this page: https://res.adhd.org.sa/doi/10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22
Prevalence
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Ahmed Hamed Aljadani
- Tahani Salem Alshammari
- Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir
- Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede
- Bushra Mubarak Aldajani
- Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi
- Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni
- Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed
Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Observational studies (case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional) that reported the prevalence and risk factors of ADHD among Saudis and were published in English were included. In March 2022, a computerized search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords associated with ADHD and Saudi Arabia. Two-stage screening and data extraction were performed. The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies was used for the quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis program was used for the analysis. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 455,334 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population was 12.4% (95% CI: 5.4%–26%). For ADHD-Inattentive and ADHD-Hyperactive presentations, the prevalence was 2.9% (95% CI: 0.3%–23.3%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%), respectively. Regarding the combined AD and HD, the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%). Children of women with psychological disorders during pregnancy (P = 0.043), insufficient vitamin B during pregnancy (P = 0.006), allergic reactions (P = 0.032), and disabling symptoms of muscle pain during pregnancy (P = 0.045) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: The prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population is comparable with that in other countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. Careful monitoring of pregnant women, attention to nutritional sufficiency, psychological and emotional support, and avoidance of stressful events may lead to reducing the incidence of ADHD in the offspring.
Funding:
None.
Registration:
PROSPERO (Ref no.: CRD42023390040)
Keywords
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, meta-analysis, prevalence, risk factor, review, Saudi ArabiaCitation
[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Ahmed Hamed Aljadani,Tahani Salem Alshammari,Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir,Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede,Bushra Mubarak Aldajani,Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi,Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni,Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed," year="2023" title="Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" volume="11" issue="2" journal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" shortjournal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" startpage="" endpage="" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22"]Link to this page: https://res.adhd.org.sa/doi/10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22
Awareness and Attitudes
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Ahmed Hamed Aljadani
- Tahani Salem Alshammari
- Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir
- Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede
- Bushra Mubarak Aldajani
- Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi
- Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni
- Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed
Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Observational studies (case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional) that reported the prevalence and risk factors of ADHD among Saudis and were published in English were included. In March 2022, a computerized search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords associated with ADHD and Saudi Arabia. Two-stage screening and data extraction were performed. The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies was used for the quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis program was used for the analysis. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 455,334 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population was 12.4% (95% CI: 5.4%–26%). For ADHD-Inattentive and ADHD-Hyperactive presentations, the prevalence was 2.9% (95% CI: 0.3%–23.3%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%), respectively. Regarding the combined AD and HD, the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%). Children of women with psychological disorders during pregnancy (P = 0.043), insufficient vitamin B during pregnancy (P = 0.006), allergic reactions (P = 0.032), and disabling symptoms of muscle pain during pregnancy (P = 0.045) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: The prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population is comparable with that in other countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. Careful monitoring of pregnant women, attention to nutritional sufficiency, psychological and emotional support, and avoidance of stressful events may lead to reducing the incidence of ADHD in the offspring.
Funding:
None.
Registration:
PROSPERO (Ref no.: CRD42023390040)
Keywords
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, meta-analysis, prevalence, risk factor, review, Saudi ArabiaCitation
[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Ahmed Hamed Aljadani,Tahani Salem Alshammari,Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir,Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede,Bushra Mubarak Aldajani,Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi,Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni,Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed," year="2023" title="Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" volume="11" issue="2" journal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" shortjournal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" startpage="" endpage="" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22"]Link to this page: https://res.adhd.org.sa/doi/10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22
Diagnosis
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Ahmed Hamed Aljadani
- Tahani Salem Alshammari
- Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir
- Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede
- Bushra Mubarak Aldajani
- Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi
- Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni
- Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed
Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Observational studies (case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional) that reported the prevalence and risk factors of ADHD among Saudis and were published in English were included. In March 2022, a computerized search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords associated with ADHD and Saudi Arabia. Two-stage screening and data extraction were performed. The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies was used for the quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis program was used for the analysis. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 455,334 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population was 12.4% (95% CI: 5.4%–26%). For ADHD-Inattentive and ADHD-Hyperactive presentations, the prevalence was 2.9% (95% CI: 0.3%–23.3%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%), respectively. Regarding the combined AD and HD, the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%). Children of women with psychological disorders during pregnancy (P = 0.043), insufficient vitamin B during pregnancy (P = 0.006), allergic reactions (P = 0.032), and disabling symptoms of muscle pain during pregnancy (P = 0.045) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: The prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population is comparable with that in other countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. Careful monitoring of pregnant women, attention to nutritional sufficiency, psychological and emotional support, and avoidance of stressful events may lead to reducing the incidence of ADHD in the offspring.
Funding:
None.
Registration:
PROSPERO (Ref no.: CRD42023390040)
Keywords
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, meta-analysis, prevalence, risk factor, review, Saudi ArabiaCitation
[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Ahmed Hamed Aljadani,Tahani Salem Alshammari,Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir,Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede,Bushra Mubarak Aldajani,Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi,Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni,Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed," year="2023" title="Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" volume="11" issue="2" journal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" shortjournal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" startpage="" endpage="" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22"]Link to this page: https://res.adhd.org.sa/doi/10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22
Language & Communication
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Ahmed Hamed Aljadani
- Tahani Salem Alshammari
- Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir
- Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede
- Bushra Mubarak Aldajani
- Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi
- Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni
- Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed
Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Observational studies (case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional) that reported the prevalence and risk factors of ADHD among Saudis and were published in English were included. In March 2022, a computerized search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords associated with ADHD and Saudi Arabia. Two-stage screening and data extraction were performed. The National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies was used for the quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis program was used for the analysis. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 455,334 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population was 12.4% (95% CI: 5.4%–26%). For ADHD-Inattentive and ADHD-Hyperactive presentations, the prevalence was 2.9% (95% CI: 0.3%–23.3%) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%), respectively. Regarding the combined AD and HD, the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–20.5%). Children of women with psychological disorders during pregnancy (P = 0.043), insufficient vitamin B during pregnancy (P = 0.006), allergic reactions (P = 0.032), and disabling symptoms of muscle pain during pregnancy (P = 0.045) were associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: The prevalence of ADHD in the Saudi population is comparable with that in other countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. Careful monitoring of pregnant women, attention to nutritional sufficiency, psychological and emotional support, and avoidance of stressful events may lead to reducing the incidence of ADHD in the offspring.
Funding:
None.
Registration:
PROSPERO (Ref no.: CRD42023390040)
Keywords
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, meta-analysis, prevalence, risk factor, review, Saudi ArabiaCitation
[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Ahmed Hamed Aljadani,Tahani Salem Alshammari,Rawan Ibrahim Sadaqir,Naif Osaywid Eid Alrashede,Bushra Mubarak Aldajani,Samiah Ahmed Almehmadi,Abdullah Saleh Altuhayni,Mohamed Ahmed Abouzed," year="2023" title="Prevalence and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in the Saudi Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" volume="11" issue="2" journal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" shortjournal="Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences" startpage="" endpage="" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22"]Link to this page: https://res.adhd.org.sa/doi/10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_528_22