[Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: determination of the optimal medical treatment duration]

Thirty-two patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 23 boys and 9 girls, aged 6-12 years, were examined in two months intervals during the long-term treatment (up to 6-8 months) with pantogam (homopantothenic acid) in daily dosages of 500-1000 mg. The treatment results were evaluated by the ADHD Rating Scale-DSM-IV and The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale - Parent Report (WFIRS-P). While the core symptoms of ADHD were according ADHD-DSM-IV diminished after 2 months, the improvement of WFIRS-P parameters required the longer duration of medical treatment. Only after 4 months of treatment, the improvement was achieved in selfesteem and social activities, and after 6 months in learning and behavior at school as well as in the level of life skills along with the decrease of risky activities. Thus, getting over psychosocial adaptation problems needs the longer treatment duration than the decrease of ADHD core symptoms.