Related Experiment Videos
Increased methylphenidate usage for attention deficit disorder in the 1990s
D J Safer1, J M Zito, E M Fine
1Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Pediatrics
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADD) in youth increased 2.5-fold between 1990 and 1995. This rise in ADD medication use is linked to longer treatment durations and broader patient demographics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Public health trends
Background:
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in youth.
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a widely prescribed stimulant medication for ADD.
- Concerns exist regarding the increasing prevalence of methylphenidate treatment in children and adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the increased use and prevalence of methylphenidate treatment for ADD in youth during the 1990s.
- To analyze trends in methylphenidate prescription patterns from 1990 to 1995.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-trend data from population-based sources, pharmaceutical databases, and physician audits.
- Analyzed treatment data for youths diagnosed with ADD receiving methylphenidate.
- Focused on five US regions and national data from 1990 to 1995.
Main Results:
- A 2.5-fold increase in methylphenidate treatment prevalence for youth with ADD was observed between 1990 and 1995.
- By mid-1995, approximately 2.8% (1.5 million) of US youths aged 5-18 were treated with methylphenidate.
- Increased treatment duration, inclusion of more girls and adolescents, and improved public perception contributed to the rise.
Conclusions:
- Study findings provide a more accurate estimate of methylphenidate treatment expansion, correcting exaggerated media claims.
- The study highlights trends in methylphenidate use but does not address the appropriateness of its prescription.