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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2/2011

Open Access 01-10-2011 | Supplement

An observational study of once-daily modified-release methylphenidate in ADHD: effectiveness on symptoms and impairment, and safety

Authors: Manfred Döpfner, Anja Görtz-Dorten, Dieter Breuer, Aribert Rothenberger

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Special Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

ADHD affects over 5% of children worldwide. It is typically treated with stimulant medications, and methylphenidate (MPH) is the most commonly prescribed. This study investigated the effectiveness, on symptoms and impairment, and safety of Equasym XL®, a combination of 30% immediate-release and 70% modified-release MPH, in the treatment of ADHD in daily clinical practice. This open-label, observational, post-marketing surveillance study was conducted in 169 centres in Germany. Eligible patients, aged 6–17 years, were diagnosed with ADHD and about to begin treatment with Equasym XL®. Effectiveness was assessed by physicians using the clinical global impression (CGI) severity and improvement scales; teachers and parents completed questionnaires evaluating ADHD symptoms and behavioural problems (DAYAS, FBB-ADHD and SDQ-P). Assessments were carried out at baseline, after 1–3 and 6–12 weeks of treatment. Of 852 enrolled patients, 822 were evaluable; 25.30% were treatment naïve, 69.84% had previously received different MPH formulations, and 4.87% had received other medications. ADHD symptoms improved from baseline to last visit for the majority of patients for all outcome measures. According to physician ratings of core ADHD symptoms, 75.73% of patients showed improvements on the CGI-Improvement scale, 17.77% had no change, and 6.50% worsened. In teacher and parent ratings, the effectiveness of Equasym XL® was rated better than prior therapy at all measured time points across the day, particularly late morning (teachers) and early afternoon (parents). Equasym XL® was generally well tolerated; only 3.16% of patients permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Equasym XL® is effective and well tolerated in daily clinical practice.
Footnotes
1
Equasym XL is the UK trade name, and is registered and marketed by Shire in the following countries under the following trademarks: Denmark, Equasym Depot; Finland, Equasym Retard; France, Quasym LP; Germany, Equasym Retard; Ireland, Equasym XL; Netherlands, Equasym XL; Norway, Equasym Depot; Sweden, Equasym Depot; South Korea, Metadate CD; Mexico, Metadate CD. Information correct at August 2011.
 
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Metadata
Title
An observational study of once-daily modified-release methylphenidate in ADHD: effectiveness on symptoms and impairment, and safety
Authors
Manfred Döpfner
Anja Görtz-Dorten
Dieter Breuer
Aribert Rothenberger
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue Special Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0202-4

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