[EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RITALIN PRESCRIPTION IN 6-18 YEARS OLD ISRAELI CHILDREN - TIME TO CHANGE POLICY]
Lutfi Jaber1,2,3,4, Shmuel Rigler5,3, Avinoam Shuper2,3,4
1The Bridge to Peace Community Pediatric Center, Taibe.
Harefuah
|August 9, 2017
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) increased significantly in Israeli children. Prescription patterns reveal disparities influenced by socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity, indicating a need for policy changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Public health
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents a global challenge with ongoing debates regarding its treatment.
- Methylphenidate (MPH) is a common medication for ADHD in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine methylphenidate (MPH) prescribing trends in children aged 6-18 in central Israel.
- To investigate the influence of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity on ADHD treatment patterns.
Main Methods:
- Prescription data for methylphenidate (MPH) were analyzed for children and adolescents aged 6-18.
- Data were collected from Clalit Health Services pharmacies in Sharon Shomron and Dan Petach Tikva for the years 2005, 2007, and 2011.
Main Results:
- Methylphenidate (MPH) prescription prevalence rose from 4.2% to 7.5% between 2007 and 2011.
- Jewish children were four times more likely to receive MPH than Arab children.
- Higher SES and male gender were significantly associated with increased MPH use (p < .001).
- Overall pediatric MPH prescriptions increased by 85% compared to 2007.
Conclusions:
- ADHD diagnosis and methylphenidate (MPH) prescription patterns are significantly influenced by SES, cultural factors, and gender.
- Current prescription practices highlight over- and under-treated populations, necessitating policy reform.
- Efforts should focus on addressing these disparities to ensure equitable ADHD treatment.
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