Assessment of Methylphenidate Prescriptions Written for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Aim: Methylphenidate is a medication used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the details of methylphenidate prescriptions. Materials and Methods: A total of 5681 methylphenidate prescriptions written for the treatment of ADHD were collected from the archives of the Provincial Health Directorate of Istanbul between January and December 2009 and were retrospectively evaluated regarding the details of drug usage. Statistical comparisons were based on the Chi-square test at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results: The ages of the patients were not mentioned in most of the methylphenidate prescriptions (85.4%). Out of those prescriptions with age information, 78.5% were written for patients younger than 18 years old. Methylphenidate prescriptions were mainly written for male patients (73.7%). Sixty three percent of methylphenidate prescriptions were written by pediatric and adolescent psychiatrists as well as pediatricians. Methylphenidate prescriptions for pediatric patients were more often written in university hospitals (64.5%), whereas those for adult patients were more often written in private hospitals (36.6%). Doctors treating pediatric patients more often mentioned dosage information than doctors treating adult patients (p<0.01). Methylphenidate prescriptions for pediatric patients were more often written in winter, whereas the majority of those for adult patients were written in summer (p<0.01). Conclusion: It was interesting to note that a remarkable percentage of adult patients get methylphenidate treatment although these prescriptions are written most often for pediatric patients. The findings of this study point out that methylphenidate treatment in adult patients should be more thoroughly evaluated and resolved.