[Sustained effectiveness of osmotic-release methylphenidate: a study of 266 cases].
BACKGROUND
Methylphenidate (MTF) is effective for the treatment of attention deficit/hiperactivity disorder (ADHD). Osmotic-release MTF (MTF-O) allows a sustained effect along the day on attention and behaviour in patient with ADHD with a single dose.


OBJECTIVE
To confirm the sustained effectiveness of the MTF-O from the clinical point of view, in the family circle:


METHODS
Study of 266 patients with ADHD. They were aged between 5 and 17 years. Distribution for sex 3/1 (boys/girls). Treatment with MTF-O was added and retired in two successive weekends, alternating the days. During these four days the following scales were filled at different hours: quantified criteria of DSM-IV-TR, modified ICG-M, and translated and modified Depremb-R.


RESULTS
The following finds were observed under treatment: a statistically significant decrease in inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness (p < 0.01); a clinical improvement when getting up and going to bed by means of Depremb-R scale (p < 0.01); a reduction of the symptomatic intensity in the criteria of DSM-IV-TR, in the morning and in the afternoon (p < 0.01); a global improvement in attention and behaviour when getting up, lunchtime, dinner, and before going to bed according to the modified ICG-M.


CONCLUSIONS
MTF-O improves characteristic symptoms of ADHD from the first hours of the morning until the hour of going to bed according to family assessment.
Fernández-Jaén
A
A
Servicio de Neurología Pediátrica, Hospital de La Zarzuela, Madrid, España. aferjaen@telefonica.net
Martín Fernández-Mayoralas
D
D
Calleja-Pérez
B
B
Muñoz-Jareño
N
N