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Correll CU, Cortese S, Croatto G, Monaco F, Krinitski D, Arrondo G, Ostinelli EG, Zangani C, Fornaro M, Estradé A, Fusar-Poli P, Carvalho AF, Solmi M. Efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological, psychosocial, and brain stimulation interventions in children and adolescents with mental disorders: an umbrella review. World Psychiatry 2021; 20:244-275. [PMID: 34002501 PMCID: PMC8129843 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Top-tier evidence on the safety/tolerability of 80 medications in children/adolescents with mental disorders has recently been reviewed in this jour-nal. To guide clinical practice, such data must be combined with evidence on efficacy and acceptability. Besides medications, psychosocial inter-ventions and brain stimulation techniques are treatment options for children/adolescents with mental disorders. For this umbrella review, we systematically searched network meta-analyses (NMAs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating 48 medications, 20 psychosocial interventions, and four brain stimulation techniques in children/adolescents with 52 different mental disorders or groups of mental disorders, reporting on 20 different efficacy/acceptability outcomes. Co-primary outcomes were disease-specific symptom reduction and all-cause discontinuation ("acceptability"). We included 14 NMAs and 90 MAs, reporting on 15 mental disorders or groups of mental disorders. Overall, 21 medications outperformed placebo regarding the co-primary outcomes, and three psychosocial interventions did so (while seven outperformed waiting list/no treatment). Based on the meta-analytic evidence, the most convincing efficacy profile emerged for amphetamines, methylphenidate and, to a smaller extent, behavioral therapy in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; aripiprazole, risperidone and several psychosocial interventions in autism; risperidone and behavioral interventions in disruptive behavior disorders; several antipsychotics in schizophrenia spectrum disorders; fluoxetine, the combination of fluoxetine and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy in depression; aripiprazole in mania; fluoxetine and group CBT in anxiety disorders; fluoxetine/selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, CBT, and behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention in obsessive-compulsive disorder; CBT in post-traumatic stress disorder; imipramine and alarm behavioral intervention in enuresis; behavioral therapy in encopresis; and family therapy in anorexia nervosa. Results from this umbrella review of interventions for mental disorders in children/adolescents provide evidence-based information for clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph U Correll
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Center for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Gonzalo Arrondo
- Center for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Mind-Brain Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Caroline Zangani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Department of Psychiatry, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrés Estradé
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Catholic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- OASIS Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marco Solmi
- Neurosciences Department, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Zheng X, Shen L, Jiang L, Shen X, Xu Y, Yu G, Wang Y. Parent and Teacher Training Increases Medication Adherence for Primary School Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:486353. [PMID: 33240827 PMCID: PMC7680838 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.486353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobiological disorder for which effective and safe medication is recommended as first-line treatment. However, many parents and teachers do not believe that ADHD is a disorder or do not accept medication treatment in China. Treatment is often short term or intermittent. Our study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of employing a 4-week, session-based training for both parents and teachers in improving medication adherence for primary school children with ADHD. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2018, a total of 5,118 primary school children were screened. Among 211 children diagnosed with ADHD, 116 were assigned to the intervention group and 95 to the control group. This study provided systematic training for parents and teachers in the intervention group. The training consisted of education about the disorder and ADHD behavioral intervention for both parents and teachers as well as classroom management techniques for just the teachers. A cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to investigate the effect of this training at 6 months follow-up. The study determined medication adherence using a questionnaire and scoring with a rating scale at baseline and at the 6 month follow-up endpoint. The questionnaire was self-report. Results: The study population had a relatively low rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (4.1%) compared to the generally accepted prevalence. After the training, more parents and teachers believed that ADHD is a neurobiological disorder and that medication is the first line treatment. At 6 months follow-up, the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) score for the intervention group was 22.8 ± 0.75 and 16.5 ± 1.63 for the control group (t = 5.217, P < 0.01). Based on parents' reports and medical records, 82 children (70.69%) were continuously taking medication for 6 months in the intervention group, while only 35 children (36.84%) were doing so in the control group. In the intervention group, the mean SNAP-IV score was 1.98 ± 0.42 at baseline but 0.99 ± 0.31 at 6-month follow-up. In the control group, the mean SNAP-IV score was 1.89 ± 0.47 at baseline but 1.37 ± 0.42 at 6-months follow-up (F = 2.67, P = 0.009). Factors influencing medication adherence for children with ADHD were parent's beliefs, teacher's beliefs, socioeconomic status, adverse effect, insurance coverage, gender, and trust of the medical system. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that comprehensive training programs improve the understanding of ADHD and medication adherence for both children's parents and teachers, providing a promising approach for improving clinical efficacy for children with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zheng
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Jiang
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Shen
- School Affiliated With Shanghai Caoyang No. 2 High School, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xu
- School Affiliated With Shanghai Caoyang No. 2 High School, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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Najib J, Didenko E, Meleshkina D, Yusupov K, Maw K, Ramnarain J, Tabassum M. Review of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Curr Med Res Opin 2020; 36:1717-1735. [PMID: 32845786 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2020.1815002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is a stimulant prodrug with low abuse and diversion potential that is used in treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and adults. This current literature review article aims to examine safety and efficacy of LDX in children and adolescents for the treatment of ADHD based on currently available data. METHODS Relevant English language articles were identified through computerized searches of the MEDLINE database (PubMed and EMBASE) and clinical trials registry up to January 2020 using the following search terms: lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, pro-drug stimulant, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorders, ADHD, safety, efficacy, children, adolescents, Vyvanse. Forty-two articles were reviewed, 34 of which were included into this review, selected by the limit "clinical trials". This article represents the pharmacological profile, efficacy and safety data of LDX for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. RESULTS The collection of studies reviewed identified that LDX was both safe and efficacious in the treatment of ADHD. The most commonly exhibited side effects were appetite suppression, weight loss, headache and insomnia. In comparison to placebo, LDX significantly improved ADHD symptoms and overall quality of life in children and adolescents. In comparison to atomoxetine, LDX showed statistically significant improvements in inattention, impulsivity, and activities of daily living. In comparison to OROS-MPH and placebo, LDX and OROS-MPH showed improvements with the CGI-I score, and ADHD-RS-IV, however, LDX was superior. CONCLUSION Patients have seen statistically significant improvements in their ADHD symptomatology in the classroom environment, health related quality of life, and their overall behavior in comparison to placebo, atomoxetine, and OROS-MPH. However, clinical judgment should be utilized when prescribing LDX due to patient specific needs and the side effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadwiga Najib
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Departments of Pharmacy and Psychiatry, Mount Sinai West Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ekaterina Didenko
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Daria Meleshkina
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Kamila Yusupov
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Kateryna Maw
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Justin Ramnarain
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Maliha Tabassum
- Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:390-408. [PMID: 29955166 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and impairing disorder affecting children, adolescents, and adults. Several treatment strategies are available that can successfully ameliorate symptoms, ranging from pharmacological to dietary interventions. Due to the increasing range of available options, an informed selection or prioritization of treatments is becoming harder for clinicians. This review aims to provide an evidence-based appraisal of the literature on ADHD treatment, supplemented by expert opinion on plausibility. We outline proposed mechanisms of action of established pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, and we review targets of novel treatments. The most relevant evidence supporting efficacy and safety of each treatment strategy is discussed. We review the individualized features of the patient that should guide the selection of treatments in a shared decision-making continuum. We provide guidance for optimizing initiation of treatment and follow-up of patients in clinical settings.
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Cortese S, Tomlinson A, Cipriani A. Meta-Review: Network Meta-Analyses in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 58:167-179. [PMID: 30738544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.07.891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Network meta-analyses (NMAs) are gaining traction as the preferred method for evidence synthesis of intervention studies. This review aimed to summarize the basics of NMAs and conduct a meta-review of available NMAs on the treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders by appraising their quality. METHOD PubMed (Medline), PsycInfo, Embase, Ovid Medline, and Web of Knowledge were systematically searched (last update January 9, 2018). The quality of each included NMA was appraised using the AMSTAR-2 tool and the PRISMA-NMA checklist, which includes specific items for NMAs. RESULTS Eighteen NMAs (6 on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; 4 on psychotic disorders; 2 on depression; 2 on anxiety disorders; 1 on obsessive-compulsive disorder; 1 on disruptive behavior disorder, 1 on bipolar disorder, and 1 on antipsychotics across disorders) were retrieved. Results from the AMSTAR-2 assessment showed that only 27% of appraised NMAs were rated as moderate quality; most were rated as low (33%) or critically low (40%) quality. Only 3 of the appraised NMAs reported on all PRISMA-NMA items specific for NMAs; the network structure was graphically presented in most NMAs (80%), and inconsistency was described in only 47%. CONCLUSION Given the paucity of head-to-head trials in child and adolescent psychiatry, NMAs have the potential to contribute to the field, because they provide evidence-based hierarchies for treatment decision making, even in the absence of trials directly comparing at least 2 treatments. However, because of important limitations in the included NMAs, additional methodologically sound NMAs are needed to inform future guidelines and clinical practice in child and adolescent psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Cortese
- Center for Innovation in Mental Health, Academic Unit of Psychology and Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; the Solent NHS Trust, Southampton; the New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY; and the Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK.
| | | | - Andrea Cipriani
- Warneford Hospital and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford, UK
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Bussalb A, Congedo M, Barthélemy Q, Ojeda D, Acquaviva E, Delorme R, Mayaud L. Clinical and Experimental Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Neurofeedback in ADHD: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:35. [PMID: 30833909 PMCID: PMC6388544 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meta-analyses have been extensively used to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback (NFB) treatment for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. However, each meta-analysis published in the past decade has contradicted the methods and results from the previous one, thus making it difficult to determine a consensus of opinion on the effectiveness of NFB. This works brings continuity to the field by extending and discussing the last and much controversial meta-analysis by Cortese et al. (1). The extension comprises an update of that work including the latest control trials, which have since been published and, most importantly, offers a novel methodology. Specifically, NFB literature is characterized by a high technical and methodological heterogeneity, which partly explains the current lack of consensus on the efficacy of NFB. This work takes advantage of this by performing a Systematic Analysis of Biases (SAOB) in studies included in the previous meta-analysis. Our extended meta-analysis (k = 16 studies) confirmed the previously obtained results of effect sizes in favor of NFB efficacy as being significant when clinical scales of ADHD are rated by parents (non-blind, p-value = 0.0014), but not when they are rated by teachers (probably blind, p-value = 0.27). The effect size is significant according to both raters for the subset of studies meeting the definition of "standard NFB protocols" (parents' p-value = 0.0054; teachers' p-value = 0.043, k = 4). Following this, the SAOB performed on k = 33 trials identified three main factors that have an impact on NFB efficacy: first, a more intensive treatment, but not treatment duration, is associated with higher efficacy; second, teachers report a lower improvement compared to parents; third, using high-quality EEG equipment improves the effectiveness of the NFB treatment. The identification of biases relating to an appropriate technical implementation of NFB certainly supports the efficacy of NFB as an intervention. The data presented also suggest that the probably blind assessment of teachers may not be considered a good proxy for blind assessments, therefore stressing the need for studies with placebo-controlled intervention as well as carefully reported neuromarker changes in relation to clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Bussalb
- Mensia Technologies SA, Paris, France.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marco Congedo
- GIPSA-Lab, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Eric Acquaviva
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Richard Delorme
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
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Abstract
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (lisdexamfetamine; Elvanse®; Tyvense®), an orally-active dexamfetamine prodrug, is indicated in the EU for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged ≥ 6 years (including adolescents) when the response to previous methylphenidate (MPH) treatment is clinically inadequate. The original approval of the drug was based on the results of phase III trials in children and adolescents with ADHD who had an inadequate response to previous pharmacotherapy (e.g. MPH) or were treatment naïve. In these studies, short-term treatment with flexibly-dosed lisdexamfetamine demonstrated greater efficacy than atomoxetine, based on a prospective comparison, and osmotic-release oral system (OROS)-MPH, based on a post hoc comparison. Improvements in ADHD symptoms were accompanied by improvements in health-related quality of life and functioning that were maintained as long as treatment with lisdexamfetamine was continued in a long-term extension of one of these trials. In subsequent phase IV head-to-head studies in adolescents with ADHD and an inadequate response to previous pharmacotherapy, lisdexamfetamine demonstrated greater efficacy than OROS-MPH when both medications were force-titrated, but not when they were flexibly-titrated. Lisdexamfetamine was generally well tolerated, with an adverse event profile (e.g. decreased appetite, headache, weight reduction, insomnia and irritability) typical of that reported for other stimulants. Thus, lisdexamfetamine provides an alternative option for the treatment of children and/or adolescents with ADHD who have not responded adequately to previous ADHD pharmacotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Frampton
- Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, Mohr-Jensen C, Hayes AJ, Carucci S, Atkinson LZ, Tessari L, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, Hollis C, Simonoff E, Zuddas A, Barbui C, Purgato M, Steinhausen HC, Shokraneh F, Xia J, Cipriani A. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5:727-738. [PMID: 30097390 PMCID: PMC6109107 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30269-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 617] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits and safety of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain controversial, and guidelines are inconsistent on which medications are preferred across different age groups. We aimed to estimate the comparative efficacy and tolerability of oral medications for ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. METHODS We did a literature search for published and unpublished double-blind randomised controlled trials comparing amphetamines (including lisdexamfetamine), atomoxetine, bupropion, clonidine, guanfacine, methylphenidate, and modafinil with each other or placebo. We systematically contacted study authors and drug manufacturers for additional information. Primary outcomes were efficacy (change in severity of ADHD core symptoms based on teachers' and clinicians' ratings) and tolerability (proportion of patients who dropped out of studies because of side-effects) at timepoints closest to 12 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. We estimated summary odds ratios (ORs) and standardised mean differences (SMDs) using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects. We assessed the risk of bias of individual studies with the Cochrane risk of bias tool and confidence of estimates with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach for network meta-analyses. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42014008976. FINDINGS 133 double-blind randomised controlled trials (81 in children and adolescents, 51 in adults, and one in both) were included. The analysis of efficacy closest to 12 weeks was based on 10 068 children and adolescents and 8131 adults; the analysis of tolerability was based on 11 018 children and adolescents and 5362 adults. The confidence of estimates varied from high or moderate (for some comparisons) to low or very low (for most indirect comparisons). For ADHD core symptoms rated by clinicians in children and adolescents closest to 12 weeks, all included drugs were superior to placebo (eg, SMD -1·02, 95% CI -1·19 to -0·85 for amphetamines, -0·78, -0·93 to -0·62 for methylphenidate, -0·56, -0·66 to -0·45 for atomoxetine). By contrast, for available comparisons based on teachers' ratings, only methylphenidate (SMD -0·82, 95% CI -1·16 to -0·48) and modafinil (-0·76, -1·15 to -0·37) were more efficacious than placebo. In adults (clinicians' ratings), amphetamines (SMD -0·79, 95% CI -0·99 to -0·58), methylphenidate (-0·49, -0·64 to -0·35), bupropion (-0·46, -0·85 to -0·07), and atomoxetine (-0·45, -0·58 to -0·32), but not modafinil (0·16, -0·28 to 0·59), were better than placebo. With respect to tolerability, amphetamines were inferior to placebo in both children and adolescents (odds ratio [OR] 2·30, 95% CI 1·36-3·89) and adults (3·26, 1·54-6·92); guanfacine was inferior to placebo in children and adolescents only (2·64, 1·20-5·81); and atomoxetine (2·33, 1·28-4·25), methylphenidate (2·39, 1·40-4·08), and modafinil (4·01, 1·42-11·33) were less well tolerated than placebo in adults only. In head-to-head comparisons, only differences in efficacy (clinicians' ratings) were found, favouring amphetamines over modafinil, atomoxetine, and methylphenidate in both children and adolescents (SMDs -0·46 to -0·24) and adults (-0·94 to -0·29). We did not find sufficient data for the 26-week and 52-week timepoints. INTERPRETATION Our findings represent the most comprehensive available evidence base to inform patients, families, clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers on the choice of ADHD medications across age groups. Taking into account both efficacy and safety, evidence from this meta-analysis supports methylphenidate in children and adolescents, and amphetamines in adults, as preferred first-choice medications for the short-term treatment of ADHD. New research should be funded urgently to assess long-term effects of these drugs. FUNDING Stichting Eunethydis (European Network for Hyperkinetic Disorders), and the UK National Institute for Health Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Cortese
- Center for Innovation in Mental Health, Academic Unit of Psychology, and Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK; New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA; Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nicoletta Adamo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | | | - Christina Mohr-Jensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Adrian J Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Sara Carucci
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari and "A Cao" Paediatric Hospital, "G Brotzu" Hospital Trust, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lauren Z Atkinson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Luca Tessari
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim and University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - David Coghill
- Departments of Paediatrics and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Murdoch Childrens' Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Chris Hollis
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR MindTech MedTech and In-vitro Diagnostic Cooperative, and Centre for ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan (CANDAL), Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emily Simonoff
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Alessandro Zuddas
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari and "A Cao" Paediatric Hospital, "G Brotzu" Hospital Trust, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Hans-Christoph Steinhausen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Capital Region Psychiatry, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Farhad Shokraneh
- Cochrane Schizophrenia Group, Division of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Future Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Jun Xia
- Systematic Review Solutions, and Nottingham Health China, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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