A Regional ADHD Center-Based Network Project for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With ADHD. Issue 12 (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonati, Maurizio; Reale, Laura; Zanetti, Michele; Cartabia, Massimo; Fortinguerra, Filomena; Capovilla, Giuseppe; Chiappedi, Matteo; Costantino, Antonella; Effedri, Paola; Luoni, Chiara; Martinelli, Ottaviano; Molteni, Massimo; Ottolini, Alberto; Saccani, Monica
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 22:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1173
• Page End: 1184
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: attention deficit disorder -- child -- adolescent -- register -- clinical protocol -- mental health services; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054715599573
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to define the sociodemographic, clinical, and prescription profiles of the participants enrolled in the Italian Lombardy ADHD Register.Method: Data on patients evaluated by the 18 regional ADHD reference centers in the 2012 to 2013 period were analyzed.Results: Seven hundred fifty-three of 1, 150 (65%) suspected patients received a diagnosis of ADHD. In 24% of cases, there was a family history of ADHD. Four hundred eighty-three (64%) patients had at least one psychopathological disorder, the more common of which were learning disorders (35%). Eighty-four percent of patients received a prescription for psychoeducational interventions, 2% received only pharmacological treatment, and 14% a combination of both. Compared with patients treated with psychoeducational intervention alone, patients with drug prescriptions more commonly presented values of Clinical Global Impressions - Severity scale (CGI-S) of 5 or higher ( p < .0001).Conclusion: A continuous and systematic monitoring of patterns of care is essential in promoting significant improvements in clinical practice and ensuring an efficient and homogeneous quality of care.