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| Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2009): |
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are known to persist into adulthood in the majority of cases. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and atomoxetine prescribing and treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults. METHOD: A descriptive cohort study using the UK General Practice Research Database included patients aged 15-21 years from 1999 to 2006 with a prescription for a study drug. RESULTS: Prevalence of prescribing averaged across all ages increased 6.23-fold over the study period. Overall, prevalence decreased with age: in 2006, prevalence in males dropped 95% from 12.77 per 1000 in 15-year-olds to 0.64 per 1000 in 21-year-olds. A longitudinal analysis of a cohort of 44 patients aged 15 years in 1999 demonstrated that no patient received treatment after the age of 21 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of prescribing by general practitioners to patients with ADHD drops significantly from age 15 to age 21 years. The fall in prescribing is greater than the reported age-related decrease in symptoms, raising the possibility that treatment is prematurely discontinued in some young adults in whom symptoms persist.
Author information
Author/s: McCarthy, Suzanne (S); Asherson, Philip (P); Coghill, David (D); Hollis, Chris (C); Murray, Macey (M); Potts, Laura (L); Sayal, Kapil (K); de Soysa, Ruwan (R); Taylor, Eric (E); Williams, Tim (T); Wong, Ian C K (IC);
Affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research, School of Pharmacy, University of London and Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-Mar; vol 194 (issue 3) : pp 273-7
Dates: Created 2009/03/02; Completed 2009/06/02;
PMID: 19252159, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/2/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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