OBJECTIVE: Numerous investigations have examined the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, relatively few studies have addressed the impact of treatment on long-term subjective, psychosocial outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study examines the long-term effects of pharmacological treatment with atomoxetine on HRQL in children and adolescents with ADHD. METHODS: Participants included 6- to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 912) with ADHD enrolled in a 24-month, multicenter, open-label trial of atomoxetine. Outcomes included clinician ratings of ADHD, parent ratings of ADHD, and a widely used measure of HRQL (The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)). Treatment response rates were calculated based on a CHQ improvement of at least 1 standard error of measurement. RESULTS: Significant improvements in HRQL were found following both acute and long-term treatment for psychosocial but not physical health. Of participants who completed treatment (n = 312 or 34.2% of those enrolled), 81% responded to acute treatment and 78% responded to long-term treatment. Improvements noted after acute treatment were maintained during long-term treatment with the majority of participants (86%) continuing to respond to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Atomoxetine is associated with improvements in HRQL, and the improvements are generally stable over time.
OBJECTIVE: Numerous investigations have examined the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, relatively few studies have addressed the impact of treatment on long-term subjective, psychosocial outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study examines the long-term effects of pharmacological treatment with atomoxetine on HRQL in children and adolescents with ADHD. METHODS:Participants included 6- to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 912) with ADHD enrolled in a 24-month, multicenter, open-label trial of atomoxetine. Outcomes included clinician ratings of ADHD, parent ratings of ADHD, and a widely used measure of HRQL (The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)). Treatment response rates were calculated based on a CHQ improvement of at least 1 standard error of measurement. RESULTS: Significant improvements in HRQL were found following both acute and long-term treatment for psychosocial but not physical health. Of participants who completed treatment (n = 312 or 34.2% of those enrolled), 81% responded to acute treatment and 78% responded to long-term treatment. Improvements noted after acute treatment were maintained during long-term treatment with the majority of participants (86%) continuing to respond to treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Atomoxetine is associated with improvements in HRQL, and the improvements are generally stable over time.
Authors: Page A W Anderson; Lynn A Sleeper; Lynn Mahony; Steven D Colan; Andrew M Atz; Roger E Breitbart; Welton M Gersony; Dianne Gallagher; Tal Geva; Renee Margossian; Brian W McCrindle; Stephen Paridon; Marcy Schwartz; Mario Stylianou; Richard V Williams; Bernard J Clark Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2008-07-08 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Oscar G Bukstein; L Eugene Arnold; Jeanne M Landgraf; Paul Hodgkins Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2009-12-10 Impact factor: 3.033
Authors: Pär Svanborg; Gunilla Thernlund; Per A Gustafsson; Bruno Hägglöf; Alexander Schacht; Björn Kadesjö Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2009-05-23 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Ralf W Dittmann; Peter M Wehmeier; Alexander Schacht; Anette Minarzyk; Martin Lehmann; Kathrin Sevecke; Gerd Lehmkuhl Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2009-08-24 Impact factor: 3.033
Authors: Luis Rajmil; Jorge A Palacio-Vieira; Michael Herdman; Sílvia López-Aguilà; Ester Villalonga-Olives; Josep M Valderas; Mireia Espallargues; Jordi Alonso Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2009-12-23 Impact factor: 3.186