Journal of Childhood & Developmental Disorders

Keywords

Hyperactivity; Psychostimulants; Incluyen; Pharmacotherapy

Introduction

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 5% [1]. The actual increased interest in this pathology has been promoted by the increased number of cases and the use of psychostimulants in children, being the most diagnosed behavioral disorder in this age group [1]. Recent meta-analyzes estimate an overall prevalence of 3-7%, being in Spain 6.8%, perhaps for an overdiagnosis or overtreatment [2-6]. ADHD treatment may require the use of psycho stimulants, like Metilphenidate (MPH) and Lisdexamphetamine (LDX); and not stimulants, like Atomoxetine (ATX), that are the officially drugs approved in Spain [4]. In Spain pharmacotherapy concurred with marketing of extended-release MPH formulation, about 2003- 2004 [5]. The aim of this study was to describe trends in ADHD diagnosis, and to estimate the prevalence in Castile-La Mancha (Spain), studying the evolution of drugs consumption.

Methods

Castile-La Mancha (CLM) is the second largest region in Spain (13.6% of the total area), with a population density of 26.7 inhabitants/km², being the child population a 16.4% of total. Each municipality has a wide network of pharmacies and medical center. For the period (1992-2001), the databases of the Spanish Ministry of Health has been used, which it was published previously study [6]; and for the period (2002-2015) the Health Regional Service of Castile-La Mancha (SESCAM) databases was used. Both databases offer information on the consumption of the drugs dispensed by pharmacies at the expense of the Spanish National Health Service; hospital consumption and private insurers are excluded. Both databases are considered an acceptable approximation of actual consumption [5,6]. The data were expressed in defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), using the DDD values proposed by the World Health Organization. The formula number of DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day=Number of packages dispensed × number of doses per package × number of mg per dose × 1000 inhabitants/ DDD in mg × number of inhabitants for the year/365 days was used [7]. To avoid the influences caused by age structure of the population, the consumption for those children and adolescents >5 and <18 years also was calculated. We have selected the MPH (30 mg), ATX (80 mg) and LDX (30 mg), to N06BA04, N06BA09 and N06BA12 groups of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical, using the Defined Daily Doses (DDD) [5]. The total population for each year studied was obtained from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Although these drugs are the first choice in most ADHD treatment regimens patterns are also used that do not incluyen [4,8]. For this reason the estimates from the consumption of drugs must be considered minimum estimates of prevalence or prescription mode [8].

We used Regression models of Join point or models segmented Poisson Regression to be very effective to identify changes in trend. It is analyzing the effect over time, which behaves as an independent variable on the calculated proportions. In this analysis, the shift points (join point or inflection points) show the existence of significant changes in the trend (up or down). Each join point indicates a statistically significant change in the trend, and an Annual Percentage Rate (APC) is calculated for each of these trends, using generalized linear models assuming a Poisson distribution. Each APC is calculated with confidence interval 95% (CI 95%) [9].

The trend pattern and temporal prediction consumption is calculated using a model of Autoregressive Time Series (ARIMA) in total consumption of drugs for ADHD in children under 19 years, using DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day, until a future period of 5 years (2020) with CI 95% [8].

Results

The consumption of drugs in Castile-La Mancha has been increased by 98.93%, from 0.15 in 1998 to 13.22 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day in 2015 (13,22 cases per 1000); this data can be used as an estimate of the prevalence of ADHD, for ages 5 to 19 years in Castile-La Mancha. Extrapolating to the entire population, we can see that the prevalence increases 0.03 in 1992 to 2.07 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day in 2015. In 2015, MPH is the most consumed drug, with 89.6% of the total, as it has increased from 0.15 in 1992 (when it was the only drug available), to 11.84 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day in 2015, an increment of 98.72%. The LDX is the second most consumed drug in 2015 (8%). The ATX is the least consumed drug, in 2015; however, consumption has increased a 61%, from 0.12 in 2008, to 0.32 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day in 2015.

The APC for ADHD drugs, in Castile-La Mancha, from 1992 to 2015 is 10.3% (CI 95%: 7.0-13.7). This increase has not been uniform, and we can see three significant join points (years 2000, 2009 and 2012) overtime. The APC of MPH, from 1992 to 2015 is 9.8% (CI 95%: 6.5-13.3); and for ATX, from 2008-2015 is 13.1% (CI 95%: 2.3-24.9).

The time series model fits 2, 0, 2, which explains most of variance. In the fifth year, the temporal prediction is destabilized, with a sigmoid curve increase, for 2020 of 14.11 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (CI95%: 10.18-18.05), as a prevalence estimated, which means an increase of 6.3%, from 2015 to 2020 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Increased percentage level of drugs consumption in Castile-La Mancha.

Discussion

Castile-La Mancha has increased consumption of drugs for ADHD, as in other national and international studies, with a gradual increase from 1992 to 2000 [5,8]. This increase shows a large rise in 1998, with the new MPH preparations and the appearance and marketing of ATX in 2008 [8,10]. Using DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day we estimated that prevalence in Castile-La Mancha in 2015 is 13.22 cases per 1000, and may reach 14.11 per 1000 in 2020, for the age group 5-19 years. These data are similar to previous Spanish study, which in 2009, for MPH found a prevalence of 12 cases per 1000 [5]. The LXD has increased since its introduction in Spain, in 2014, the second most prescribed drug in Castile-La Mancha, however MPH continue being the drug of choice, with 90% of consumption [10-12].

The prevalence of ADHD in Spain is estimated at 6.8%, being similar to other European countries, with 5.5% [2,13]. In our study, we have obtained 2.07 cases per 1000 for the total population, lower than international studies, but the pattern of consumption tending to rise, is increasingly similar to Nordic countries, with 2.18 cases per 1000 [12,14].

Throughout Castile-La Mancha, an average increase is observed, with an annual consumption of 10.3%; this increase does not seem attributable to the increased incidence of the disease, but rather different variables, such as active case finding, improved diagnosis and care of patients, treatment with drugs of less severe cases, who did not receive treatment before, and an improvement in child health. The increased use of drugs for ADHD, with an over diagnosis and overtreatment, may be promoted by, increased awareness of the general and medical population, marketing strategy, the emergence of new drugs, with fewer side effects, and by the easy administration [8,11-14].

The availability of data consumption of drugs, in the public system, from 1992-2015, is exhaustive, to determine the prevalence of ADHD, and it depends on three variables: the treatment is suitably performed (this occurs in 80% of cases, for the therapeutic efficacy of MPH, which is replaced by ATX and LDX, when the first is not effective [15], the compliance with therapeutic doses (because, some drugs are not consumed, for lack of adherence or adverse effects), and finally, that ill people visits public health services [7]. Drug therapy has proven to be cost-efficient in the short term, but it should not be used in mild cases, and as the only therapeutic solution, proposing a multimodal treatment [15]. Make an effort to inform parents, teachers, doctors, psychologists and administration about ADHD.

Conclusion

The consumption of drugs estimated the distribution of ADHD in Castile-La Mancha. The changes in the use of stimulants are a warning of a possible over diagnosis or a marketing strategy, and explain the possible growth in consumption of these drugs.

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