A prospective observational study of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey: Symptom severity and treatment options in a paediatric population

• Published in: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 116 - 126
• Main Authors: Ondrejka, Igor, Abali, Osman, Paclt, Ivo, Gácser, Magdolna, Iftene, Felicia, Walton, Richard, Harrison, Gavan, Treuer, Tamá, Martényi, Ferenc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd. (Informa Healthcare, Taylor & Francis AS) 2010; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Central and Eastern Europe; diagnostic criteria; quality of life; treatment practices; Central and Eastern Europe; diagnostic criteria; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; quality of life; treatment practices
• ISSN: 1365-1501; 1471-1788
• DOI: 10.3109/13651500903556511

Abstract Objective. This study investigates the relationship between treatment regimen, symptom severity, comorbidities and health outcomes of paediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Methods. Males and females aged 6-17 years with ADHD symptoms participated in this 12-month, prospective, observational, non-randomised study. Symptoms and comorbidities were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4 Parent Checklists (CSI-4; ASI-4, categories L/O), and the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity scale (CGI-ADHD-S). Baseline data are presented. Results. The study included 566 patients from Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey. Psychiatrists made all diagnoses using The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV), World Health Organization International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10), and "other" criteria (73, 27 and 0.4%, respectively). Patients were grouped into two cohorts based on whether they were prescribed psycho- and/or pharmacotherapy (n=443) or not (n=123). Patients receiving prescribed treatment were older and demonstrated higher symptom severity scores than those receiving no or "other" treatment. Most patients were prescribed conventional treatment for ADHD at baseline. Conclusions. Continued assessment of this population may aid the treatment and outcomes of ADHD in CEE.