[Transition psychiatry: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder impacting 5% of children and adolescents and 2-3% of adults.
• ADHD frequently co-occurs with other disorders and leads to significant functional impairments.
• Administrative data reveal a high risk of treatment discontinuation for ADHD patients transitioning into adulthood, despite ongoing symptoms and functional deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the challenges and consequences of treatment discontinuation in adults with ADHD during the critical transition period.
• To identify strategies for optimizing ADHD treatment and care management for young adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of administrative data concerning ADHD patient treatment patterns.
• Analysis of factors contributing to treatment discontinuation in the transition to adulthood.
• Exploration of potential interventions for sustained ADHD management.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of adult ADHD patients face treatment discontinuation.
• Persistent symptomatology and functional impairments are common in this population.
• The transition to adulthood presents unique challenges for maintaining consistent ADHD care.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing ADHD treatment during the transition to adulthood is crucial for long-term patient outcomes.
• Proactive strategies are needed to mitigate treatment discontinuation and ensure continuity of care.
• Further research into tailored interventions for young adults with ADHD is warranted.