title: An observational study of once-daily modified-release methylphenidate in ADHD: effectiveness on symptoms and impairment, and safety.
abstract: ADHD affects over 5% of children worldwide. It is typically treated with stimulant medications, and methylphenidate (MPH) is the most commonly prescribed. This study investigated the effectiveness, on symptoms and impairment, and safety of Equasym XL(®), a combination of 30% immediate-release and 70% modified-release MPH, in the treatment of ADHD in daily clinical practice. This open-label, observational, post-marketing surveillance study was conducted in 169 centres in Germany. Eligible patients, aged 6-17 years, were diagnosed with ADHD and about to begin treatment with Equasym XL(®). Effectiveness was assessed by physicians using the clinical global impression (CGI) severity and improvement scales; teachers and parents completed questionnaires evaluating ADHD symptoms and behavioural problems (DAYAS, FBB-ADHD and SDQ-P). Assessments were carried out at baseline, after 1-3 and 6-12 weeks of treatment. Of 852 enrolled patients, 822 were evaluable; 25.30% were treatment naïve, 69.84% had previously received different MPH formulations, and 4.87% had received other medications. ADHD symptoms improved from baseline to last visit for the majority of patients for all outcome measures. According to physician ratings of core ADHD symptoms, 75.73% of patients showed improvements on the CGI-Improvement scale, 17.77% had no change, and 6.50% worsened. In teacher and parent ratings, the effectiveness of Equasym XL(®) was rated better than prior therapy at all measured time points across the day, particularly late morning (teachers) and early afternoon (parents). Equasym XL(®) was generally well tolerated; only 3.16% of patients permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Equasym XL(®) is effective and well tolerated in daily clinical practice.
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. manfred.doepfner@uk-koeln.de
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Döpfner
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Görtz-Dorten
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Breuer
authors: Aribert
authors: A
authors: Rothenberger
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008774:Methylphenidate