title: Medical treatment of children and youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a Norwegian Prescription Registry Based Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurological condition with a profound effect on quality of life. Prescription databases may document pattern of use. In this study we aimed to explore the use in Norway employing such a database.
  
  
  METHODS
  All prescriptions on drugs for the treatment of ADHD between 2004 and 2011, as registered in the Norwegian Prescription Database (NPD) were analyzed. The following drugs were included: Amphetamine, dexamphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine. In-hospital drug administration was excluded. Numbers of users per 1,000 inhabitants were calculated according to gender, age and residence. A sub-analysis compared users born in January-June with those born in July-December. Drug costs were calculated and converted into Euros (€ 1 = N.kr 7.4540).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Drugs for the treatment of ADHD was significantly more often prescribed in northern Norway than in any other Norwegian health region (P < 0.001). Within the northern region, Nordland County was the "culprit" (P < 0.02). Compared to Norwegian figures, significantly more females (aged 10-19 years) were treated in northern Norway [male/female ratios 3:1 and 2.2:1 (P < 0.01)] and especially in Nordland County (ratio 2.1:1). The subanalysis did not indicate a northern overtreatment of those being a younger group in their grade. The annual drug cost per user in Norway was € 919.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prescription rate was significantly higher in northern Norway and Nordland County was the culprit. A prescription database may be a tool for monitoring the national use of these drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of North Norway. jan.norum@unn.no.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norum
authors.forename: Aina Iren
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Frank Ivar
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Nohr
authors.forename: Anca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heyd
authors.forename: Arpad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Totth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D000661:Amphetamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine