[The epidemiology of pharmacologically treated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the Region of Murcia, Spain: Differences by gender, age and location of residence]

The Prevalence and Treatment of ADHD in Spain: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Estimate the prevalence and incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and analyze variations in its treatment across Spain.

METHOD

Analyses were performed using IQVIA's clinical practice RealWorld Database, the electronic medical records of some 1 million patients from 2013 to 2018. MPH treatment was assessed using the Defined Daily Dose (DDD), MPH sales were extracted from IQVIA's Sell-Out database and the number of active psychiatrists from IQVIA's OneKey Database.

RESULTS

Significantly higher ADHD prevalence and incidence (1) in children than in adults and (2) in males compared to females. 91% of patients take MPH. Regional variations in MPH consumption range from 247 Daily Dose per Inhabitant (DDI) per 100,000 inhabitants to 414.

CONCLUSION

ADHD continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in adults, and more so in females. The lack of diagnostic tools for adults and the variations in treatment across the country need to be addressed.

[Health-related quality of life in cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with and without pharmacological treatment]

INTRODUCTION

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire is important in order to assess the effects of therapeutic intervention. The aim of this study is to analyse HRQoL, comparing cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with methylphenidate (ADHD-T), untreated cases (ADHD-N), and controls.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included a sample of 228 participants between 8 and 14 years old (114 controls, 57 ADHD-T, and 57 ADHD-N). Consecutive sampling was used in ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria (ADHD Rating Scales IV), and random sampling of controls matched by gender and age. The evaluation of HRQoL was made by using KIDSCREEN-52 parent version.

RESULTS

The intensity of ADHD symptoms is significantly lower in ADHD-T than in ADHD-N. There is a moderate significant correlation between greater intensity of ADHD symptoms and worse HRQoL. ADHD cases have significantly worse HRQoL than controls on psychic well-being, mood, relationship with parents and friends, school environment, and social acceptance. The cases of ADHD-T have significantly better HRQoL than ADHD-N in the school dimension, but do not differ significantly in other dimensions of KIDSCREEN-52.

CONCLUSIONS

It would be advisable that the treatment of ADHD integrates multi-dimensional therapeutic models that improve the basic symptoms of the disorder, as well as the HRQoL.