The direct correlation between Covid-19 and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Covid-19 psychological distress: Analysis of antipsychotic drugs' use in an Italian population sample

BACKGROUND

The current pandemic, in addition to putting a strain on healthcare systems and global economies, has exacerbated psychiatric problems and undermined the mental health of many individuals. In an Italian cohort, this phenomenon has been assessed through a retrospective study aimed at evaluating the consumption and costs of antipsychotic drugs between 2020 and 2022.

METHODS

All dispensations made in local pharmacies accessible to the public have been extracted from a database called 'Sistema Tessera Sanitaria', which covers a population of approximately one million people residents in the ASL Napoli 3 Sud. Consumption data expressed in defined daily dose (DDD) and expenditure data expressed in Euro have been extrapolated.

RESULTS

The results in the years 2020-2021 were relatively consistent, with consumption and expenditure decreasing slightly from 2020 to 2021. In 2022, the results showed a decrease in consumption and expenditure (2,706,951.07 DDD and €1,700,897.47) representing the reduced accessibility of patients to the healthcare facilities due to the pandemic. However, it should be noted that the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole showed an upward trend, registering an increase in consumption.

CONCLUSION

Despite expectations of increased consumption of antipsychotic medications, real-world evidence indicated a different phenomenon, with the pandemic seemingly not affecting the consumption of these drugs. The difficulty in accessing care and medical appointments has probably influenced this data, masking the therapeutic needs of citizens. It will be necessary to assess in the coming years, as normal clinical activity resumes, whether there will be a growing consumption of these medications, which represent one of the main expenditure categories for the National Healthcare System.

The association between suspected long-COVID and stimulant prescribing in the United States

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the association between suspected long-COVID and receipt of a stimulant prescription among persons diagnosed with COVID-19 and to describe clinical and demographic factors associated with receiving a stimulant prescription.

METHODS

US patients 18 and older who had a COVID-19 diagnosis or a positive COVID-19 PCR test from April 1st, 2020 through December 21st, 2022 recorded in a national electronic health record data set obtained from TriNetX were assessed. Comparison subjects were propensity score matched on baseline covariates to those with a symptom of or diagnosis of long-COVID. A Cox Proportional Hazards models was used to estimate the influence of long-COVID on stimulant prescription receipt.

RESULTS

Those with long-COVID (n = 65,329) were twice as likely to be prescribed a stimulant as persons with only acute COVID-19 (n = 189,438, HR=2.162; 1.929-2.423). Among persons with long-COVID, persons with new onset ADHD (HR=7.196; 5.749- 9.007), opioid-related disorders (HR=2.140; 1.264-3.621) and mood disorders (HR=1.649; 1.336-2.035) were more likely to be prescribed a stimulant.

CONCLUSION

Further research describing the risks associated with increased stimulant use among persons with long-COVID is warranted.