[Analysis of methylphenidate's efficacy using the abbreviated version Conners' questionnaire in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].
The attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex diagnosis. Its installation is precocious, with chronic evolution that impacts on the subject's performance in several contexts. Three to 5% of the school aged children present this disorder. The Conners' questionnaire has been used as an instrument of epidemiological survey for ADHD children.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate if this instrument could be an useful tool for the analysis of the methylphenidate's treatment efficacy in ADHD's children.


METHODS
Twenty-one male children were selected, with ADHD combined type, chronological ages ranging from seven to 10 years and 11 months and all were treated with methylphenidate. The Conners' questionnaire abbreviated version for parents and teachers was applied in two moments, one without medication and another between six to eight months after the beginning of the methylphenidate.


RESULTS
Results pointed to a reduction in punctuation in Conners' questionnaire in all children with ADHD concomitant to clinical improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Conners' questionnaire revealed to be useful not only for diagnosis, but also as an instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of ADHD.
de Andrade
Enio Roberto
ER
Ambulatório dos Transtornos de Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade do SEPIA, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. enio.r.andrade@uol.com.br
Scheuer
Claudia
C
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate