ADHD medication use in a population-based sample of twins
Wendy Reich1, Hongyan Huang, Richard D Todd
1Division of Child Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. wendyr@wustl.edu
Summary
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are undertreated, with complex factors influencing treatment. Youth without ADHD sometimes receive stimulant medication, highlighting varied treatment patterns.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in youth.
- Understanding treatment patterns is crucial for effective intervention and resource allocation.
- General population studies provide insights into real-world ADHD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate treatment patterns for youth attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
- To identify factors influencing ADHD treatment in a general population twin sample.
- To examine the appropriateness of stimulant medication use in youth with and without ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 1,610 twin pairs (ages 7-17) was recruited from Missouri birth records.
- The Missouri Assessment of Genetics Interview for Children was used for interviews.
- Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze treatment factors.
Main Results:
- Over half of boys and less than half of girls meeting ADHD criteria received stimulant medication.
- A significant proportion of youth receiving stimulant medication did not meet ADHD diagnostic criteria.
- Factors like symptom severity and cotwin treatment influenced referral and treatment in youth without ADHD.
Conclusions:
- Children with ADHD remain undertreated in the general population.
- Comorbid disorders and family history of ADHD treatment impact treatment decisions.
- Treatment patterns for ADHD are complex and influenced by multiple factors.
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