A 12-month prospective, observational study of treatment regimen and quality of life associated with ADHD in central and eastern europe and eastern Asia.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective, observational, non-randomized study aimed to describe the relationship between treatment regimen prescribed and the quality of life (QoL) of ADHD patients in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Eastern Asia over 12 months.


METHODS
977 Male and female patients aged 6-17 years seeking treatment for symptoms of ADHD were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4 Parent Checklists, and the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity scale. QoL was assessed using the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition parent report form. Patients were grouped according to whether they were prescribed psycho- and/or pharmacotherapy (treatment) or not (no/'other' treatment).


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were observed between cohorts (treatment vs. no/'other' treatment) in terms of change in QoL, although there was improvement over 12 months, with a greater improvement experienced by patients in the treatment cohort in both study regions (CEE and Eastern Asia). Psychoeducation/counselling and methylphenidate were the predominant ADHD treatments prescribed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both treatment and no/'other' treatment cohorts showed improvements in mean QoL over 12 months, the difference was small and not statistically significant. A major limitation was the higher than anticipated number of patients switching treatments, predominantly from the no/'other' treatment cohort.
Goetz
Michal
M
Charles University, Second Medical Faculty, Prague, Czech Republic.
Yeh
Chin-Bin
CB
Ondrejka
Igor
I
Akay
Aynur
A
Herczeg
Ilona
I
Dobrescu
Iuliana
I
Kim
Boong Nyun
BN
Jin
Xingming
X
Riley
Anne W
AW
Martényi
Ferenc
F
Harrison
Gavan
G
Treuer
Tamás
T
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate