[Trend in medicines use for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents (2010-2019).]
Beatriz Prieto Antolín1, Eduardo Gutiérrez-Abejón2,3, Susana Alberola López4
1Servicio Territorial de Sanidad de Palencia. Consejería de Sanidad de Castilla y León. Palencia. España.
Insights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication was prescribed to approximately 2% of young people in Castilla y León. Methylphenidate was the most common ADHD treatment, with higher consumption rates observed in boys.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Public Health and Epidemiology
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children, affecting 3-5% globally and 6-7% in Spain.
- Characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, ADHD significantly impacts childhood development and requires effective management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the consumption trends of ADHD medications in Castilla y León from 2010 to 2019.
- To identify demographic patterns and specific drug usage within the pediatric population treated for ADHD.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological registry study analyzed pharmaceutical dispensing data for patients under 19 in Castilla y León (2010-2019).
- Included active substances: methylphenidate, atomoxetine, lisdexamfetamine, modafinil, and guanfacine.
- Statistical analysis involved frequency calculations, t-tests, Chi-square tests, and the Cochran-Armitage test for trend analysis.
Main Results:
- Annual ADHD medication dispensing reached 1.77% of the pediatric population.
- Consumption was over three times higher in boys (2.69%) than girls (0.81%).
- The 10-14 age group showed the highest usage (3.42%), with methylphenidate being the most prescribed drug (2.44%).
Conclusions:
- Around 2% of individuals aged 0-19 in Castilla y León received ADHD medication between 2010-2019.
- Methylphenidate was the predominant medication used for ADHD treatment in this population.
- The study highlights significant demographic variations in ADHD medication use.
Objective:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder characterised primarily by three core symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorders, with a worldwide prevalence of between 3% and 5%, and between 6% and 7% in the Spanish population. The aim of the study is to analyse the trend in the consumption of drugs used for the treatment of ADHD between 2010-2019 in Castilla y León.
Methods:
Epidemiological registry study of all dispensing in pharmacies in Castilla y León between 2010 and 2019 to patients under 19 years of age, of active substance N06BA04 (methylphenidate), N06BA09 (atomoxetine), N06BA12 (lisdexamfetamine), N06BA07 (modafinil) and C02AC02 (guanfacine). Data on drug use were obtained from the information system for the pharmaceutical provision of Castilla y León, CONCYLIA. Frequencies in absolute values and the corresponding percentages were calculated. Student's t-test was used to estimate differences between continuous variables and Pearson's Chi-square test for categorical variables, while the trend in consumption was analysed using the Cochran-Armitage test.
Results:
ADHD medication was dispensed annually to 1.77% of the population, with consumption being more than three times higher in boys than in girls (2.69% vs 0.81%; p=0.001). The age group with the highest peak use was 10-14 years with 3.42%. Methylphenidate was the drug used by the highest percentage of the population (2.44%) followed by lisdexamfetamine (0.37%).
Conclusions:
Approximately 2 out of every 100 people aged 0-19 years were treated with some ADHD medication, mainly methylphenidate, in Castilla y León between 2010 and 2019.
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