Atomoxetine treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: what are the long-term health-related quality-of-life outcomes?

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

Knowledge and information about ADHD: Evidence of cultural differences among African-American and white parents

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common child psychiatric disorder in the United States of America. Despite the high prevalence (estimated at 3-5%), little is known about the level and source of knowledge about ADHD among those affected by the disease, and about cultural and ethnic variations in knowledge levels and information sources. This represents a serious deficit, because health behavior, including demand for health services, is thought to be strongly influenced by knowledge or beliefs held by individuals and their networks. Furthermore, recent research suggested minority children may be less likely to receive services for ADHD. To examine possible differences in ADHD knowledge and information source, a sample of 486 African-American and white parents of children at high risk for ADHD were surveyed by telephone and subsequently participated in face-to-face interviews addressing their explanatory models of ADHD. Results revealed significant ethnic differences in knowledge and sources of information about ADHD. Fewer African-American parents than white parents indicated that they had ever heard of ADHD (69% compared to 95%, Pattention deficit disorder hyperactivity knowledge and attitudes ethnicity