The use of methylphenidate in Michigan

Article Abstract:

The distribution and characteristics of children taking and physicians prescribing methylphenidate hydrochloride in Michigan are described. Methylphenidate hydrochloride is the drug of choice for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Michigan has one of the highest prescription rates of any state for this medication. Prescription records and coding were used to identify the characteristics of the children and the prescribing doctor. Overall, 11 out of every 1000 children from birth to 19 years were prescribed methylphenidate: 2% of all boys and 0.4% of all girls. Nearly half the prescriptions were written for children aged 8 to 11. The highest rate was 43 per 1000 for boys aged 10 to 11. Prescription rates varied 10-fold among counties. Eighty-four percent of prescriptions were written by pediatricians, family or general practitioners. Five percent of pediatricians and 13% of family practitioners wrote half the prescriptions. This variation in prescribing pattern may reflect doctors specializing in ADHD patients or regional variations in attitudes of teachers, parents, or doctors.

Care and treatment, Michigan, Methylphenidate, Methylphenidate hydrochloride

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Long-term psychosocial outcome in typical absence epilepsy: sometimes a wolf in sheeps' clothing

Article Abstract:

Typical absence epilepsy may cause adverse psychological and social effects exceeding those caused by chronic illness alone. Researchers interviewed 56 young adults who developed typical absence epilepsy in childhood and compared responses with 61 young adults who developed rheumatoid arthritis in childhood. Despite a lack of effect of neurologic disease on functioning and despite that over half the epilepsy group recovered, the epilepsy patients were more likely to experience such behavioral and social problems as legal conviction, alcohol abuse, or unplanned pregnancy as well as to report difficulties with relationships and less success in the workplace.

Psychological aspects, Behavior, Epilepsy, Epileptics

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Double-blind Methylphenidate Trials: Practical, Useful, and Highly Endorsed by Families

Article Abstract:

Many parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might benefit from enrolling their child in an N of 1 methylphenidate placebo-controlled trial (MPT). Methylphenidate is the generic name for Ritalin. In an N of 1 trial, each person in the study acts as their own control, taking the drug sometimes or a placebo other times. In a study of 43 children with ADHS who participated in such a trial, all parents used the trial to decide whether they wanted to give their child Ritalin. The parents of 9 children decided against Ritalin and said the trial helped them make that decision.

Innovations, Clinical trials, Drug therapy, Ritalin (Medication)

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