Prescribing for young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in UK primary care: analysis of data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Newlove-Delgado, TV; Hamilton, W; Ford, T; et al.Stein, K; Ukoumunne, O
Date: 7 February 2019
Journal
ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders
Publisher
Springer Verlag
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Background
Guidance on management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] in the UK was issued
by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence [NICE] in 2008. No UK study has examined all
psychotropic prescribing in young people with ADHD since the introduction of the guidance; this is
especially relevant due to the ...
Background
Guidance on management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] in the UK was issued
by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence [NICE] in 2008. No UK study has examined all
psychotropic prescribing in young people with ADHD since the introduction of the guidance; this is
especially relevant due to the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in this population.
Aim
To describe primary care prescribing of ADHD and other psychotropic medication for young people
with ADHD.
Design and setting
Analysis of records of patients with an ADHD diagnosis in the UK Clinical Practice Research
Datalink from 2005 to 2013.
Methods
Estimation of the prevalence of prescribing of ADHD and other psychotropic medication over 8 years
follow-up for cases aged 10 to 20 years in 2005.
Results
Of 9,390 ADHD cases, 61.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 60.6% to 62.5%) had a prescription at
some point for ADHD medication. Prescribing of other psychotropic medication was higher in girls
than boys (36.4% versus 22.7%; p<0.001). ADHD prescribing prevalence declined steeply between
the ages of 16 and 18 from 37.8% (95% CI 36.6 to 38.9) to 23.7% (95% CI: 22.7 to 24.6%). There
was a parallel increase in prescribing of other psychotropics from 3.8% (95% CI: 3.4% to 4.3%) to
6.6% (95% CI 6.0 to 7.3%).
Conclusion
There is scope to optimise the management of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities in young people,
and a need for sustainable models of ADHD care for young adults, supported by appropriate training
and specialist services.
Institute of Health Research
Collections of Former Colleges
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