Article: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults

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TitleAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults
AuthorsMccarthy, S6
Asherson, P3
Coghill, D1
Hollis, C4
Murray, M6
Potts, L2
Sayal, K4
De Soysa, R5
Taylor, E2
Williams, T7
Wong, ICK6
Issue Date2009
PublisherRoyal College of Psychiatrists. The Journal's web site is located at http://bjp.rcpsych.org/
CitationBritish Journal Of Psychiatry, 2009, v. 194 n. 3, p. 273-277 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045245
AbstractBackground Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are known to persist into adulthood in the majority of cases. Aims To determine the prevalence of methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and atomoxetine prescribing and treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults. Method A descriptive cohort study using the UK General Practice Research Database included patients aged 15-21 years from 1999 to 2006 with a prescription for a study drug. Results Prevalence of prescribing averaged across all ages increased 6.23-fold over the study period. Overall, prevalence decreased with age: in 2006, prevalence in males dropped 95% from 12.77 per 1000 in 15-year-olds to 0.64 per 1000 in 21-year-olds. A longitudinal analysis of a cohort of 44 patients aged 15 years in 1999 demonstrated that no patient received treatment after the age of 21 years. Conclusions The prevalence of prescribing by general practitioners to patients with ADHD drops significantly from age 15 to age 21 years. The fall in prescribing is greater than the reported age-related decrease in symptoms, raising the possibility that treatment is prematurely discontinued in some young adults in whom symptoms persist.
ISSN0007-1250
2011 Impact Factor: 6.619
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.300
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045245
ReferencesReferences in Scopus
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorMccarthy, S
dc.contributor.authorAsherson, P
dc.contributor.authorCoghill, D
dc.contributor.authorHollis, C
dc.contributor.authorMurray, M
dc.contributor.authorPotts, L
dc.contributor.authorSayal, K
dc.contributor.authorDe Soysa, R
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, E
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, T
dc.contributor.authorWong, ICK
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-30T06:13:43Z
dc.date.available2012-10-30T06:13:43Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractBackground Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are known to persist into adulthood in the majority of cases. Aims To determine the prevalence of methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and atomoxetine prescribing and treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults. Method A descriptive cohort study using the UK General Practice Research Database included patients aged 15-21 years from 1999 to 2006 with a prescription for a study drug. Results Prevalence of prescribing averaged across all ages increased 6.23-fold over the study period. Overall, prevalence decreased with age: in 2006, prevalence in males dropped 95% from 12.77 per 1000 in 15-year-olds to 0.64 per 1000 in 21-year-olds. A longitudinal analysis of a cohort of 44 patients aged 15 years in 1999 demonstrated that no patient received treatment after the age of 21 years. Conclusions The prevalence of prescribing by general practitioners to patients with ADHD drops significantly from age 15 to age 21 years. The fall in prescribing is greater than the reported age-related decrease in symptoms, raising the possibility that treatment is prematurely discontinued in some young adults in whom symptoms persist.
dc.description.natureLink_to_subscribed_fulltext
dc.identifier.citationBritish Journal Of Psychiatry, 2009, v. 194 n. 3, p. 273-277 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045245
dc.identifier.citeulike10243264
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045245
dc.identifier.epage277
dc.identifier.issn0007-1250
2011 Impact Factor: 6.619
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.300
dc.identifier.issue3
dc.identifier.pmid19252159
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-62149108195
dc.identifier.spage273
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/171377
dc.identifier.volume194
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherRoyal College of Psychiatrists. The Journal's web site is located at http://bjp.rcpsych.org/
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom
dc.relation.ispartofBritish Journal of Psychiatry
dc.relation.referencesReferences in Scopus
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshAttention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity - Drug Therapy
dc.subject.meshCohort Studies
dc.subject.meshCross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.meshDextroamphetamine - Therapeutic Use
dc.subject.meshDopamine Uptake Inhibitors - Therapeutic Use
dc.subject.meshFemale
dc.subject.meshGreat Britain
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshMale
dc.subject.meshMethylphenidate - Therapeutic Use
dc.subject.meshPhysician's Practice Patterns - Trends
dc.subject.meshPrevalence
dc.subject.meshPropylamines - Therapeutic Use
dc.subject.meshWithholding Treatment - Trends
dc.subject.meshYoung Adult
dc.titleAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Treatment discontinuation in adolescents and young adults
dc.typeArticle
Author Affiliations
  1. University of Dundee College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing
  2. King's College London
  3. Medical Research Council
  4. School of Community Health Sciences
  5. Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust
  6. UCL Institute of Child Health
  7. Medicines and Health Care products Regulatory Agency