title: Rates and predictors of adherence to psychotropic medications in children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Medication adherence in children is poor, particularly among those with chronic or mental health disorders. However, adherence has not been fully assessed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The validated proportion of days covered method was used to quantify adherence to psychotropic medication in Medicaid-eligible children who met diagnostic criteria for ASD between 2000 and 2008 (N = 628). Among children prescribed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, antidepressants, or antipsychotics, 44, 40 and 52 % were adherent respectively. Aggressive behaviors and abnormalities in eating, drinking, and/or sleeping, co-occurring ADHD, and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index were the most significant predictors of adherence rather than demographics or core deficits of ASD. Identifying barriers to adherence in ASD may ultimately lead to improved treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Cannon St. Ste 301, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA, slouise@mac.com.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garrett-Mayer
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Joyce S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nicholas
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs