Short-term effectiveness of medication and psychosocial intervention in a cohort of newly diagnosed patients with inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity problems.
OBJECTIVE
The article discusses the ADHD Observational Research in Europe (ADORE) study that examined the impact of early treatment choices on outcome within the first few months, in previously untreated children with impairing inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.


METHODS
Data are collected from a longitudinal, observational study conducted in 10 European countries that involve 1,478 children (aged 6 to 18 years) with symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, or inattentiveness. Linear model with a propensity score adjustment compares the decrease in ADHD-RS scores between baseline and last recorded visit across treatment groups (2 to 5 months).


RESULTS
At baseline, 49.9% of participants are prescribed pharmacotherapy and 44.3% a psychosocial intervention. Analysis of the effect of treatment on the evolution of ADHD-RS scores shows a positive effect of medications and either an insignificant or negative effect of psychosocial intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Early use of medication effectively reduces ADHD symptoms in routine clinical practice in Europe. The effect of psychosocial intervention has to be interpreted cautiously because the number, length, and level of standard of the sessions are not taken into account in the analyses.
Falissard
Bruno
B
INSERM U669, Paris, France. falissard_b@wanadoo.fr
Coghill
David
D
Rothenberger
Aribert
A
Lorenzo
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D057216:Propensity Score; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants