Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: an annotated bibliography and critical appraisal of published systematic reviews and metaanalyses

CONTEXT

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research charged the McMaster Evidence-based Practice Center with conducting a comprehensive systematic review of the literature on the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with input from various groups of stakeholders. One strategy used to avoid duplication of work included a critical appraisal of existing systematic reviews and metaanalyses.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and appraise published metaanalyses and systematic reviews on the treatment of ADHD and to produce an annotated bibliography.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Cumulative Index in Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Healthstar, Psycinfo, and Embase were searched to September 1998; the Cochrane Database (1998 issue 3), selected Internet sites, and the files of investigators were also reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION

Review articles described as systematic reviews or metaanalyses or including a Methods section were identified independently by 3 reviewers.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers extracted, by consensus, relevant information on the name, methodological quality, ADHD-related aspects (comorbid disorders, family characteristics) of those reviews; data on the population, study setting, interventions, and outcomes evaluated by the reviews were also retrieved.

RESULTS

Thirteen reviews, published from 1982 to 1998, were included. Eight included metaanalysis and 5 a qualitative review. Nonpharmacological treatments were mentioned in 6 reviews and combination therapies in 3. One review focused on the treatment of adults. Forty-seven drugs and 20 adverse effects were mentioned. Most reviews had major methodological flaws.

CONCLUSIONS

Most published systematic reviews and metaanalyses on the treatment of ADHD have limited value for guiding clinical, policy, and research decisions. A rigorous, systematic review following established methodological criteria is warranted.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and youth: a quantitative systematic review of the efficacy of different management strategies

OBJECTIVE

To obtain estimates of the relative efficacy of 3 main treatment strategies for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and youth (age < 18 years).

DESIGN

quantitative systematic review of randomized trials.

SUBJECTS

999 patients with ADHD from 26 randomized trials.

INTERVENTIONS

medications alone, behavioural interventions alone, and a combination of these 2 modalities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

differences in scores between treatment groups on commonly used teacher- and parent-completed behaviour rating scales.

RESULTS

Medication-only therapy was efficacious in ADHD. Behavioural therapies used alone appeared not to be efficacious in ADHD. Combination therapy was more efficacious than placebo or no treatment for parent but not teacher ratings, not more efficacious than drug therapy alone, and more efficacious than behavioural treatments alone based on parent but not teacher ratings.

CONCLUSION

Though stimulant medications were found to be an effective treatment strategy for ADHD in children and youth, it proved difficult to assess the relative benefits of behavioural interventions alone and combined medication and behavioural therapy because of the paucity of treatment studies other than medication-only treatment studies and heterogeneity of various kinds that exist in relation to ADHD studies and treatments.

Fact versus fancy concerning the multimodal treatment study for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Findings from the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the MTA, have been much discussed but frequently misinterpreted or mischaracterized. Misinterpretations regarding the specific nature of and rationale for the study design, the effectiveness of the behavioural treatment arm, the possible advantages of combined treatments over single-component (medication management or behavioural therapy) interventions, and the feasibility and applicability of MTA treatments for "real-world" practitioners are addressed. Careful interpretation of the MTA findings suggests that for ADHD symptoms, carefully crafted medication-management approaches are superior to behavioural treatment and to routine community care that includes medication. For non-ADHD areas of functioning (for example, social skills, academic performance), combined treatments may offer modest advantages over single-component approaches. Longer-term outcomes past 14 months of intensive MTA treatments (as well as their relative effectiveness with respect to each other) remain unknown, pending further MTA analyses. The MTA treatments by and large consisted of evidence-based "best practices." Thus, rather than characterizing these treatments as infeasible, the substantially superior outcomes of these treatments (versus routine clinical care) across diverse settings should help set the standard for future treatment practices in real-world settings. Despite important study limitations, the MTA study, by virtue of its size, scope, and length; parallel-groups design; explicit use of manualized, evidence-based treatments; and comprehensive range of outcome assessments sets an important benchmark for future trials testing new treatments for childhood ADHD and defines a new standard for optimal outcomes that can be achieved with the best of clinical care.

Simultaneous EEG and EDA measures in adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Adolescent unmedicated ADHD males and age- and sex-matched normal control subjects were examined simultaneously using EEG and EDA measures in a resting eyes-open condition. ADHD adolescents showed increased absolute and relative Theta and Alpha1 activity, reduced relative Beta activity, reduced skin conductance level (SCL) and a reduced number of non-specific skin conductance responses (NS.SCRs) compared with the control subjects. Our findings indicate the continuation of increased slow wave activity in ADHD adolescents and the presence of a state of autonomic hypoarousal in this clinical group.

Psychotropic medication use among children in foster care: relationship to severe psychiatric disorders

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to describe the level of psychotropic medication use and its relationship to severe psychiatric disorders among school-aged children in foster care.

METHODS

Home interviews with 302 foster parents and children aged 6 to 12 years and 266 follow-up clinical evaluations were conducted.

RESULTS

Thirteen percent of the children had taken psychotropic medication in the previous year, and 52% of those whose clinical status merited a medication evaluation had not received medication in the previous year.

CONCLUSIONS

As the efficacy of psychotropic medication treatment for severe child psychiatric disorders becomes more established, research on the appropriateness of such care can begin.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dexamphetamine in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to determine the efficacy of dexamphetamine in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a naturalistic setting.

METHOD

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of dexamphetamine was conducted by two psychiatrists in private practice who saw a total of 68 consecutive referrals of patients thought to have ADHD by their referring general practitioners. Patients were admitted to the study if their current level of ADHD symptoms satisfied DSM-IV criteria (modified for use in adults), and were not currently comorbid for major mood disturbance or substance abuse. Response to medication was assessed by repeated administration of these modified DSM-IV criteria, self- and relatives' rating, as well as clinician rating using the Clinical Global Impressions Scale. More general outcome measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Medication side effects were recorded, including monitoring blood pressure and weight change. Urinalysis monitored concurrent substance usage and compliance.

RESULTS

Dexamphetamine had a significant therapeutic response exceeding the placebo response (p = 0.045). The response was similar in both genders and across the age range. It was detected by patients, their relatives and the two clinicians. The only significant side effect was weight loss. One patient on dexamphetamine discontinued the trial because of an event possibly related to the medication.

CONCLUSIONS

In the short term, dexamphetamine appears to be efficacious in treating adult ADHD. As this is the first study in the literature, the result requires replication. Given that stimulant medication use in adult ADHD appears to be long-term, studies of long-term efficacy need to be carried out.

Stimulant medications

OBJECTIVE

To review the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of stimulants for the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHOD

A Medline search was conducted for both randomized controlled trials and reviews to determine the efficacy and safety of stimulant drugs for treating children with ADHD. Information was obtained on adverse events associated with their use, including their impact on height and weight gain during childhood. Animal data were reviewed for information on tolerance, sensitization, and the impact of high-dose stimulant effects on neurons and on the development of hepatic tumors. Human data on dopamine transporter occupancy by stimulants were also included.

RESULTS

Stimulant treatment studies show robust short-term efficacy and a good safety profile. Longer-term studies are few in number but have produced no conclusive evidence that careful therapeutic use of these medications is harmful.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence indicates that stimulants show efficacy and safety in studies lasting up to 24 months.

Stimulant medication withdrawal during long-term therapy in children with comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic multiple tic disorder

OBJECTIVES

In this study we examined changes in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviors and motor and vocal tics during withdrawal from long-term maintenance therapy with stimulant medication.

METHODS

Subjects were 19 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic tic disorder who had received methylphenidate (n = 17) or dextroamphetamine (n = 2) for a minimum of 1 year. Children were switched to placebo under double-blind conditions. Treatment effects were assessed by using direct observations of child behavior in a simulated (clinic-based) classroom and behavior rating scales completed by parents and clinician.

RESULTS

There was no change (group data) in the frequency or severity of motor tics or vocal tics during the placebo condition compared with maintenance dose of stimulant medication (ie, no evidence of tic exacerbation while receiving medication or of a withdrawal reaction). There was no evidence of tic exacerbation in the evening as a rebound effect. Treatment with the maintenance dose was also associated with behavioral improvement in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviors, indicating continued efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Abrupt withdrawal of stimulant medication in children receiving long-term maintenance therapy does not appear to result in worsening of tic frequency or severity. Nevertheless, these findings do not preclude the possibility of drug withdrawal reactions in susceptible individuals.

Childhood hyperkinetic disorder/attention deficit disorder grown up

There is growing evidence for the validity of the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD) in adults, as well as evidence that conduct disorder in adolescents and dissocial personality disorder in adult life are linked to ADHD in childhood. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment of ADHD in adolescents and young adults and it is possible that dissocial personality disorder will respond to methylphenidate. There is no evidence that methylphenidate reduces symptoms of conduct disorder in adolescents or of dissocial personality disorder in young adults, because no studies have evaluated methylphenidate in these conditions. We recorded a dramatic improvement in symptoms, predominantly of conduct disorder, in an adolescent with a previous history of ADHD. Trials of methylphenidate are required in adolescents with conduct disorder and young people with dissocial personality disorder, when there is a past history of probable ADHD.

Clinical and treatment characteristics of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in psychiatric practice

OBJECTIVE

To capture information about the clinical characteristics of, and treatments for, children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in psychiatric practice.

METHOD

A mailed, self-administered questionnaire was sent to 81 practicing psychiatrists for them to complete on the next three consecutive patients aged 14 years and younger with ADHD seen during the 12-day study period. Information collected included the sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of sampled patients.

RESULTS

Patients in the study were predominantly white (85%), male (78%), and between 10 and 14 years old (58%). The most common ADHD subtype was combined/predominantly hyperactive (86%); 31% had no other comorbidity. Ninety-seven percent were receiving medications, with 49% receiving two or more. The single most common medication reported was methylphenidate (51% of patients) followed by clonidine (20%). Psychotropics other than psychostimulants were used in a majority of patients (55%).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatrists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists in particular, see a more severely impaired and complex group of patients than would be expected of primary care providers. The treatment patterns of psychiatrists for these patients do not reflect the simpler treatments usually studied in clinical trials.

Diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

TOPIC

Diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PURPOSE

To describe a multidimensional approach to treatment of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity and their parents.

SOURCES

Review of the literature and of the author's clinical work.

CONCLUSIONS

A great deal of controversy surrounds this diagnosis. The nurse psychotherapist helps children and families through the diagnostic process and into the treatment phase. Emphasis is on psychotherapy of the child and family, parent education, and attention to the child's school environment and social adjustment.

Variations in ADHD treatment among special education students

OBJECTIVE

To examine variation in patient characteristics (case-mix) and treatment patterns for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by provider type.

METHOD

By means of a two-stage study design, 102 children were identified as receiving treatment for ADHD in the past year, among a school district-wide sample of second-through fourth-grade special education students. Parent and child interviews were conducted using standardized measures of need for treatment, service use, and process of care.

RESULTS

Nearly three fourths of the children received treatment for ADHD by a primary care provider, and of these, 68% did not have any contact with a mental health specialist. Children treated only by a primary care provider had fewer comorbid conditions, less impairment, and lower levels of family burden than children treated only by a mental health specialist. Treatment of ADHD solely by primary care providers was characterized by fewer sessions, less time with the patient, and less use of multimodal therapies.

CONCLUSION

Future studies examining clinical outcomes for ADHD treatment should take into account variation in case-mix and treatment patterns by provider type.

DOPA decarboxylase activity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adults. A [fluorine-18]fluorodopa positron emission tomographic study

Converging evidence implicates the dopaminergic system and the prefrontal and nigrostriatal regions in the pathophysiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using positron emission tomography (PET) with [fluorine-18]fluorodopa (F18-DOPA), we compared the integrity of the presynaptic dopaminergic function between 17 ADHD adults and 23 healthy controls. The ratio of the isotope concentration of specific regions to that of nonspecific regions reflects DOPA decarboxylase activity and dopamine storage processes. Of three composite regions (prefrontal cortex, striatum, and midbrain), only the prefrontal cortex showed significantly different F18-DOPA ratios in ADHD as compared with control adults (p < 0.01). The medial and left prefrontal areas were the most altered (lower F18-DOPA ratios by 52 and 51% in ADHD as compared with controls). Similarly, the interaction [sex x diagnosis] was significant only in the prefrontal cortex (p < 0.02): lower ratios in men than in women in ADHD and vice versa in controls. These findings suggest that a prefrontal dopaminergic dysfunction mediates ADHD symptoms in adults and that gender influences this abnormality. On the basis of previous neuroimaging findings in ADHD showing discrepant findings in adults and adolescents and on evidence for midbrain dopaminergic defect in adolescents, we hypothesize that the prefrontal dopaminergic abnormality in ADHD adults is secondary and results from an interaction of the primary subcortical dopaminergic deficit with processes of neural maturation and neural adaptation.