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McLaren JL, Zito JM, Fegert JM, Barnett ER. Editorial: Psychotropic overprescribing to youth: scope of the problem, causes, and possible solutions. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1418600. [PMID: 38774431 PMCID: PMC11107288 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1418600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. McLaren
- Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Health Children's, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Julie M. Zito
- Department of Practice, Sciences and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jörg M. Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Erin R. Barnett
- Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States
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Klau J, Gonzalez‐Chica D, Raven M, Jureidini J. Antipsychotic prescribing patterns in children and adolescents attending Australian general practice in 2011 and 2017. JCPP ADVANCES 2024; 4:e12208. [PMID: 38486961 PMCID: PMC10933664 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Antipsychotics are increasingly prescribed to children and adolescents worldwide, but little is known about reasons for prescribing. We aimed to examine patterns of paediatric antipsychotic prescribing in Australian primary care services in 2011 and 2017, including diagnoses, sociodemographic characteristics, off-label prescribing, and psychotropic co-prescribing. Methods Retrospective analysis of electronic health records (EHRs) using a large Australian general practice database (MedicineInsight). Diagnoses of mental disorders were extracted from EHRs and associated with antipsychotic prescriptions within the same calendar year for three age-groups: 0-9, 10-14, and 15-18-year-olds. Results In 2017, children/adolescents with mental health diagnoses were more likely to be prescribed antipsychotics (2.9% of 27,412 patients) than in 2011 (2.0% of 8418 patients; absolute difference +0.9, 95% CI + 0.5, +1.4). The likelihood was greater for patients with bipolar disorders (21.6% vs. 41.5%), eating disorders (1.1% vs. 7.2%), and autism without behavioural problems (3.7% vs. 6.1%). Depression/anxiety (adjusted 26.8% of patients 2011; 30.8% 2017) was the most common diagnosis associated with antipsychotics in both years. Most antipsychotics were prescribed off-label (69.8% 2011; 79.7% 2017; absolute difference +9.8, 95% CI + 1.54, +18.4). Off-label prescribing increased most among those aged 15-18-years, females, and patients living in outer regional/remote/very remote communities and the most disadvantaged areas. The three most frequently prescribed antipsychotics in both years were risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine. Psychotropic co-prescribing among patients receiving antipsychotic prescriptions was approximately 69% in both years. Conclusions Prescribing antipsychotics for mental health diagnoses to children/adolescents attending Australian general practices was more frequent in 2017 than 2011, and most commonly associated with depression/anxiety diagnoses. In both years, most prescribing was off-label. The majority of patients were co-prescribed other classes of psychotropics along with antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Klau
- Robinson Research InstituteCritical and Ethical Mental Health Research GroupUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - David Gonzalez‐Chica
- Discipline of General PracticeUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Melissa Raven
- Robinson Research InstituteCritical and Ethical Mental Health Research GroupUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jon Jureidini
- Robinson Research InstituteCritical and Ethical Mental Health Research GroupUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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Gangapersad RN, Zhou G, Garcia-Gomez P, Bos J, Hak E, Koch BCP, Schuiling-Veninga CCM, Dierckx B. Comparison of antipsychotic drug use in children and adolescents in the Netherlands before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024:10.1007/s00787-023-02340-3. [PMID: 38183460 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to describe the patterns and trends in antipsychotic prescription among Dutch youth before and during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (between 2017 and 2022). The study specifically aims to determine whether there has been an increase or decrease in antipsychotic prescription among this population, and whether there are any differences in prescription patterns among different age and sex groups. The study utilized the IADB database, which is a pharmacy prescription database containing dispensing data from approximately 120 community pharmacies in the Netherlands, to analyze the monthly prevalence and incidence rates of antipsychotic prescription among Dutch youth before and during the pandemic. The study also examined the prescribing patterns of the five most commonly used antipsychotics and conducted an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analysis using data prior to the pandemic, to predict the expected prevalence rate during the pandemic. The prescription rate of antipsychotics for Dutch youth was slightly affected by the pandemic, with a monthly prevalence of 4.56 [4.50-4.62] per 1000 youths before COVID-19 pandemic and 4.64 [4.59-4.69] during the pandemic. A significant increase in prevalence was observed among adolescent girls aged 13-19 years. The monthly incidence rate remained stable overall, but rose for adolescent girls aged 13-19 years. Aripiprazole, and Quetiapine had higher monthly prevalence rates during the pandemic, while Risperidone and Pipamperon had lower rates. Similarly, the monthly incidence rates of Aripiprazole and Olanzapine went up, while Risperidone went down. Furthermore, the results from the ARIMA analysis revealed that despite the pandemic, the monthly prevalence rate of antipsychotic prescription was within expectation. The findings of this study suggest that there has been a moderate increase in antipsychotic prescription among Dutch youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in adolescent females aged 13-19 years. However, the study also suggests that factors beyond the pandemic may be contributing to the rise in antipsychotic prescription in Dutch youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish N Gangapersad
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Guiling Zhou
- Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pilar Garcia-Gomez
- Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jens Bos
- Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelko Hak
- Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit C P Koch
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina C M Schuiling-Veninga
- Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Dierckx
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Dörks M, Bachmann CJ, Below M, Hoffmann F, Paschke LM, Scholle O. Trends in antipsychotic use among children and adolescents in Germany: a study using 2011-2020 nationwide outpatient claims data. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1264047. [PMID: 38148746 PMCID: PMC10749930 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1264047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We aimed to provide an update on trends in antipsychotic (AP) use among children and adolescents in Germany. Materials and methods Based on nationwide outpatient claims data from Germany, we conducted a cross-sectional study. For each year from 2011 to 2020, we determined the prevalence of AP use, defined as the proportion of children and adolescents with at least one AP dispensation. We evaluated trends in AP use by age, sex, and AP class (typical vs. atypical). Additionally, we assessed trends in the specialty of AP prescribers and the frequency of psychiatric diagnoses among AP users. Results Overall, data from more than 12 million children and adolescents were included for each calendar year (2011: 12,488,827; 2020: 13,330,836). From 2011 to 2020, the overall prevalence of pediatric AP use increased from 3.16 to 3.65 per 1,000, due to an increase in use of both typical APs (from 1.16 to 1.35 per 1,000) and atypical APs (from 2.35 to 2.75 per 1,000). The largest increase in AP use was found among 15- to 19-year-old females, with an increase from 3.88 per 1,000 in 2011 to 7.86 per 1,000 in 2020 (+103%), mainly due to rising quetiapine use (from 1.17 to 3.46 per 1,000). Regarding prescribers' specialty, the proportion of APs prescribed by child and adolescent psychiatrists increased during the studied period (2011: 24.8%; 2020: 36.4%), whereas prescriptions by pediatricians (2011: 26.0%; 2020: 19.9%) and general practitioners (2011: 18.0%; 2020: 12.4%) decreased. Risperidone was the most commonly used AP in males, and quetiapine was the leading AP in females, each with the highest prevalence in 15- to 19-year-olds. In male risperidone users in this age group, the most frequent diagnosis was attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (50.4%), while in female quetiapine users it was depression (82.0%). Discussion Use of APs among children and adolescents in Germany has continued to increase over the last decade. The sharp increase in AP use among 15- to 19-year-old females, which is largely due to an increased use of quetiapine, is remarkable. Potential reasons for this increase-e.g., limited access to psychosocial treatments-should be carefully analyzed. Also, the introduction of more restrictive prescribing guidelines might be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dörks
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christian J. Bachmann
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital Wilhelmstift, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maike Below
- Department of Prescription Data, Central Research Institute of Ambulatory Health Care, Berlin, Germany
| | - Falk Hoffmann
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Lena M. Paschke
- Department of Prescription Data, Central Research Institute of Ambulatory Health Care, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Scholle
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Bremen, Germany
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Garcia-Rodriguez L, Burton DJ, Leonards CA, Davey CG. Effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics for unipolar and bipolar depression in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:633-639. [PMID: 37467794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.082] [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] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antipsychotic medications are increasingly used for difficult-to-treat depression in young people. However, the evidence-base for this is unclear. Our aim was to assess the evidence for the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics in treating unipolar and bipolar depression in adolescents and young adults. METHOD We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-control-trial studies (RCTs) of antipsychotic medications for 10- to 25-year-olds with unipolar and bipolar depression. The primary outcome of interest was change in depressive symptoms from baseline to trial endpoint. RESULTS No studies were identified that evaluated the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of unipolar depression. However, we identified four studies, of quetiapine, lurasidone and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination, comprising a total of 866 randomized patients, that evaluated treatment of bipolar depression. All studies used the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R). Our meta-analysis revealed the weighted mean difference (WMD) was -4.58 (95 % CI, -6.59 to -2.57) between antipsychotic and placebo-treated groups. Response and remission rates were also significantly in favor of antipsychotic treatment. LIMITATIONS There were few studies, several did not address risk-of-bias domains and there was a lack of non-industry sponsored studies. CONCLUSION There is an absence of evidence for the use of antipsychotic medications in treatment of youth unipolar depression, and no recommendations can be made. There is some evidence for the efficacy of antipsychotics, specifically lurasidone and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination, in the treatment of young people with bipolar depression. However, this evidence is limited and more studies investigating the use of these medications in young people are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Garcia-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Daniel J Burton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine A Leonards
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Büber A, Gavcar EG, Başay Ö, Ünlü G, Kabukçu Başay B, Şenol H. Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Use of Antipsychotics and Antipsychotic Polypharmacy in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Service. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2023; 33:69-75. [PMID: 36944095 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2022.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to examine the antipsychotics used by patients hospitalized in the child and youth inpatient service providing tertiary care to investigate whether there is a difference between admission and discharge, polypharmacy, which antipsychotics are used, and which psychotropics are used concomitant with antipsychotics. Methods: Research data were collected retrospectively from all children and adolescents hospitalized in a child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient service in a university hospital in a 4-year period (2015-2019). The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the antipsychotics they used at admission and discharge, the other psychotropics concomitantly used with antipsychotics, and the side effects associated with antipsychotics during hospitalization were collected from the files of the 363 patients. Results: Patients on antipsychotics increased 12.1% from hospitalization to discharge. Antipsychotic polypharmacy increased from 16.2% at admission to 30.7% at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors affecting antipsychotic and antipsychotic polypharmacy. Self-harm, aggression/violence, and extended hospitalization were factors associated with increased antipsychotic use. Psychotic symptoms, psychotic disorder, and extended hospitalization were factors associated with an increase in antipsychotic polypharmacy. Conclusions: Understanding the factors that may cause antipsychotic use and polypharmacy in inpatient services in children and adolescents may prevent unnecessary drug use and long-term side effects that may occur due to these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Büber
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
| | - Erdal Görkem Gavcar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kırıkkale Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Kırıkkale, Türkiye
| | - Ömer Başay
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
| | - Gülşen Ünlü
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
| | - Bürge Kabukçu Başay
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
| | - Hande Şenol
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
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Varimo E, Saastamoinen LK, Rättö H, Aronen ET. Polypharmacy in children and adolescents initiating antipsychotic drug in 2008-2016: a nationwide register study. Nord J Psychiatry 2023; 77:14-22. [PMID: 35263210 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2042597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents has increased rapidly. Little is known about psychotropic polypharmacy in children and adolescent initiating an antipsychotic drug. Thus, we investigated the frequency and predictors of polypharmacy during the first year of antipsychotic use in Finnish children and adolescents. METHODS Between 2008 and 2016, 14 848 individuals aged 1-17 years initiating risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, or olanzapine treatment were identified from Finnish Prescription Registry. Data on psychotropic drug prescriptions prior to and during antipsychotic treatment were collected. Associations between predictors and polypharmacy were analyzed with regression models. RESULTS During the study period polypharmacy occurred in 44.9% of the new antipsychotic users, being more frequent in girls (55.5%) than in boys (44.5%, p < 0.001). The two most frequent concomitant psychotropic drug classes were antidepressants (66.2%) and psychostimulants/atomoxetine (30.8%). Adolescents aged 13-15 and 16-17 years, and girls showed an increased risk of polypharmacy during antipsychotic treatment (OR 2.37 [95% CI 1.91-2.92], OR 2.39 [95% CI 1.92-2.98], and OR 1.64 [95% CI 1.51-1.78], respectively). The use of psychostimulants/atomoxetine or antidepressants prior to initiation of antipsychotic treatment was strongly associated with polypharmacy during antipsychotic treatment (OR 8.39 [95% CI 7.49-9.41], OR 3.02 [95% CI 2.75-3.31]). CONCLUSIONS Polypharmacy was common in children and adolescents initiating antipsychotic treatment. Prior use of psychostimulants/atomoxetine and antidepressants increased the risk of polypharmacy. The use of antipsychotics was mainly off-label, thus, the risks of concomitant use of antipsychotics with other psychotropic drugs should be carefully weighed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveliina Varimo
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Laboratory of Developmental Psychopathology, Pediatric Research Center, New Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Hanna Rättö
- Research Unit, Social Insurance Institution, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva T Aronen
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Laboratory of Developmental Psychopathology, Pediatric Research Center, New Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Rates of psychotropic medicine prescribing in paediatric populations in Australian general practice from 2000-2016. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 65:68-78. [PMID: 36434887 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
General practitioner (GP) prescribing of psychotropic medicines to paediatric patients is increasing across countries, sparking the need for additional research into this field. We examined prescribing rates, GP and patient characteristics and indications associated with prescribing psychotropic medicines to paediatric patients in Australian general practice, using data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program. We extracted all encounters with children aged 3 to 17 from 2000 to 2016. Psychotropic medicines were defined as those in the ATC codes N05 (Psycholeptics) and N06 (Psychoanaleptics). Of the 144,397 encounters, GPs prescribed 1829 psychotropic medicines to paediatric patients at an average rate of 1.16 prescriptions per 100 encounters (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.23). We found that the rate of psychotropic medicines prescribed to paediatric patients in Australian general practice increased. Patients who were adolescent, female, socio-economically disadvantaged or from an English-speaking background were significantly more likely to be prescribed a psychotropic medicine. GP practices in remote or regional areas and Australian graduate GPs were more likely to prescribe psychotropic medicines to paediatric patients. Depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and autism were the most common psychiatric indications managed with psychotropic medicines. Antidepressants, psychostimulants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and other psychotropic medicines were prescribed, signifying a high rate of off-label use. Sertraline was the most common psychotropic medicine prescribed, followed by fluoxetine and methylphenidate. Future studies involving data from other prescribers, e.g. paediatricians and psychiatrists, and studies linking prescribed medicines to their indications may widen our understanding of psychotropic medicine prescribing in Australian paediatric patients.
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Nurminen M. Association of mental health and behavioral disorders with health care and service utilization in children before and after diagnosis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278198. [PMID: 36441702 PMCID: PMC9704676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental health is one of the most important contributors to the global burden of disease in children and adolescents. Mental health conditions are associated with lower quality of life in adulthood. These conditions have an early onset and typically first occur in childhood. However, little is known about how these conditions are related to service utilization before the initial diagnosis, or about the significance of the diagnosis on later service utilization. To study this, register data on 5-15-year-old children in the city of Oulu, Finland, covering the years 2013-2018 were used. To identify the association of mental health and behavioral conditions with service utilization, counterfactuals were constructed from children who were similarly diagnosed three years later. Event study regressions on several health care and service utilization outcomes were estimated. The findings showed that primary and specialized health care utilization increased sharply before the initial diagnosis and peaked during the time of diagnosis. Primary care utilization started decreasing slowly after, while specialized health care utilization remained high for two years after the diagnosis. Probability of visiting a mental health professional, use of rehabilitation services, psychiatric medication, and utilization of child protection services increased significantly after the diagnosis. The results highlighted the importance of outpatient health care in detecting and treating the conditions in children. In a fragmented system, knowledge on utilization trajectories in different services may be of help in allocating resources to improve the health of these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Nurminen
- The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
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10
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Bais Y, Hermans RA, Schuiling-Veninga CCM, Bos HJ, Kloosterboer SM, de Winter BCM, Simoons M, Dieleman GC, Hillegers MHJ, Koch BCP, Dierckx B. Comparison of antipsychotic drug use among Dutch Youth before and after implementation of the Youth Act (2010-2019). Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022:10.1007/s00787-022-01949-0. [PMID: 35138475 PMCID: PMC10326153 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-01949-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Dutch law on youth care (the Youth Act) was implemented from 2015 onwards. One of the government's aims by implementing this new policy was de-medicalization of youths by separating youth mental healthcare from the rest of the healthcare system. A previous study conducted by our research group showed that prevalence rates of antipsychotic drug prescriptions stabilized among Dutch youth in the period 2005-2015, just before the introduction of the Youth Act. In our study, we aimed to describe antipsychotic drug use among Dutch children aged 0-19 years old before and after implementation of the Youth Act (2010-2019). METHODS We analyzed prescription data of 7405 youths aged 0-19 years using antipsychotic drugs between 2010 and 2019, derived from a large Dutch community pharmacy-based prescription database (IADB.nl). RESULTS Prevalence rates of antipsychotic drug use per thousand youths decreased significantly in youths aged 7-12 years old in 2019 compared to 2015 (7.9 vs 9.0 p < 0.05). By contrast, prevalence rates increased in adolescent females in 2019 compared to 2015 (11.8 vs 9.5 p < 0.05). Incidence rates increased significantly in adolescent youths in 2019 compared to 2015 (3.9 vs 3.0 p < 0.05), specifically among adolescent girls (4.2 per thousand in 2019 compared to 3.0 per thousand in 2015). Dosages in milligram declined for the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs during the study period. The mean duration of antipsychotic drug use in the study period was 5.7 (95% CI 5.2-6.2) months. CONCLUSION Despite the aim of the Youth Act to achieve de-medicalization of youths, no clear reduction was observed in prevalence rates of antipsychotic drugs or treatment duration in all subgroups. Prevalence rates even increased in adolescent females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Bais
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R A Hermans
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C C M Schuiling-Veninga
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H J Bos
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S M Kloosterboer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B C M de Winter
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Simoons
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G C Dieleman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M H J Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B C P Koch
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B Dierckx
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Vuori M, Sourander A, Aronen ET, Kronström K, Saastamoinen LK. Relative Age and the Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics from 7 to 17 Years of Age: A Population-Based Register Study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2022; 32:45-51. [PMID: 34619034 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2021.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The youngest children in a classroom have a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHDs) and depression than their relatively older peers. However, there has been a lack of research on how relative age is related to second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication use. Methods: This study used the Finnish National Prescription Register data and comprised all 669,726 Finnish children and adolescents aged 7-17 in 2018. We extracted data for those who were dispensed SGAs (risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, and olanzapine) and ADHD medication (methylphenidate, atomoxetine, dexamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for medication dispensed to schoolchildren born from January to April (the relatively oldest), May to August, and September to December (the relatively youngest). Dispensed prescriptions were a proxy for medication use. Results: SGAs were dispensed to 9146 (1.4%) individuals in 2018. Their use was lower among girls aged 12-17 years born from September to December than January to April (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.83-0.97), with no association between SGA use and birth month among boys. However, younger relative age was associated with combined SGA and ADHD medication, which was used by 2556 (0.4%) of the cohort: 2074 (0.6%) boys and 482 (0.1%) girls. The OR was 1.27 for boys aged 12-17 born from September to December (95% CI 1.10-1.46), compared with January to April. The OR for girls born from May to August was 1.35 (95% CI 1.04-1.76) and from September to December it was 1.33 (95% CI 1.02-1.74), compared with January to April. Conclusions: A novel discovery of this study was that using both SGA and ADHD medication at the age of 12-17 years was more common among the youngest subjects in a school year than their relatively older peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miika Vuori
- Department of Teacher Education, Turku Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Andre Sourander
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Invest Flagship, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Eeva T Aronen
- Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Laboratory of Developmental Psychopathology, Pediatric Research Center, New Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kim Kronström
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland
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Mansuri Z, Makani R, Trivedi C, Adnan M, Vadukapuram R, Rafael J, Lodhi A, Reddy A. The role of metformin in treatment of weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic treatment in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:933570. [PMID: 36458118 PMCID: PMC9705964 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Second-generation antipsychotics are associated with significant weight gain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of weight gain in children and young adults treated with second-generation antipsychotics. METHODS We followed PRISMA guidelines to evaluated studies published before March 2020 in Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane library database, annual scientific sessions of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent, Psychiatry, and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Studies included compared metformin with the placebo for management of weight gain in children and adolescents taking atypical antipsychotics. Non-randomized studies, animal experiment studies, editorials, and review studies were excluded. Multiple parameters, including change in anthropometric-biochemical parameters, drug discontinuation rate, and side effects among the groups were assessed. The random-effects method was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS Four studies with were included in the final analysis (213 patients; metformin: 106; control: 107). After pooled analysis, 12-16 weeks of metformin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in weight [(mean difference (MD): -4.53 lbs, confidence interval (CI): -6.19 to -2.87, p-value < 0.001)], and BMI z score [MD, -0.09, CI: -0.16, -0.03, p-value: 0.004] compared to control. Metformin was also associated with a significant reduction in insulin resistance [MD: -1.38, CI: -2.26 to -0.51, p-value: 0.002]. There were higher odds of nausea-vomiting [OR: 4.07, CI: 1.32-12.54, p-value: 0.02] and diarrhea [OR: 2.93, CI: 1.50-5.71, p-value: 0.002] in the metformin group. However, there was no difference in drug discontinuation rate [OR: 1.45, CI: 0.41-5.06, p-value: 0.56]. CONCLUSION Metformin may prove beneficial in the treatment of weight gain in children treated with second-generation antipsychotics. The pooled treatment effect showed a significant reduction in BMI Z-score and weight in just 12-16 weeks. The limitations include small sample size, variation in metformin dose, and duration of treatment. This meta-analysis should be interpreted as promising, and further larger studies are warranted before drawing a conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Mansuri
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ramkrishna Makani
- Department of Psychiatry, AtlantiCare Health System, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, United States
| | - Chintan Trivedi
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, United States
| | - Mahwish Adnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, United States
| | - Ramu Vadukapuram
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, United States
| | - John Rafael
- MS4, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, United States
| | | | - Abhishek Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
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Varimo E, Aronen ET, Mogk H, Rättö H, Saastamoinen LK. Antipsychotic Treatment Duration in Children and Adolescents: A Register-Based Nationwide Study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2021; 31:421-429. [PMID: 33739863 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2020.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Despite the increasing use of antipsychotic drugs in children and adolescents in many countries, little is known about the treatment duration in this vulnerable population. The present nationwide study investigated the duration of antipsychotic treatment and factors associated with treatment discontinuation in Finnish children and adolescents. Methods: All subjects aged 1-17 years who had started a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) drug (risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, or olanzapine) between January 2008 and December 2016 (n = 20,932) were extracted from the Finnish Prescription Registry and followed up until December 31, 2017. Treatment duration was calculated as the time between the initial purchase of medication and treatment discontinuation. Treatment was considered discontinued if the treatment-free gap was more than 270 days. The associations between explanatory factors and treatment discontinuation were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The mean and median treatment durations were 509 days (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 500-517 days) and 317 days (95% CI: 306-325 days), respectively. The duration was shorter in girls than in boys (p < 0.001). Of all SGA users, 35.1% used antipsychotics less than 50 days and 16.0% used more than 600 days. Shorter treatment duration was associated with age groups of 7-12 and 13-15 years compared with 1-6 years (hazard ratio [HR]:1.23 [95% CI: 1.11-1.36]; HR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.21-1.51], respectively) and initiating treatment with quetiapine or olanzapine compared with risperidone (HR: 1.18 [95% CI: 1.12-1.25]; HR: 1.66 [95% CI 1.46-1.88], respectively). Switching of SGA drug during treatment was associated with longer treatment duration (HR: 0.40 [95% CI: 0.38-0.43]). Conclusions: In children and adolescents, the mean treatment duration of SGAs was relatively long given that the majority of SGA use was off-label. Older age and initiating treatment with quetiapine were associated with earlier treatment discontinuation, whereas switching of antipsychotic drug during therapy increased the possibility of longer SGA use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveliina Varimo
- Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, Laboratory of Developmental Psychopathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva T Aronen
- Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, Laboratory of Developmental Psychopathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Mogk
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Rättö
- Research Unit, The Social Insurance Institution, Helsinki, Finland
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