Post hoc analyses of response rates to pharmacological treatments in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

David R. Coghill, Jeffrey H. Newcorn, Jie Chen, Tamara Werner-Kiechle, Tobias Banaschewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
37 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Lack of consensus regarding how best to define treatment response hinders translation from trials to the clinic. These post hoc analyses examine three commonly used response criteria in six trials of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: Data from four short-term randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and two long-term open-label studies were analysed. Children and adolescents with ADHD received either dose-optimised (30-70 mg/day) or fixed-dose (70 mg/day) LDX. The RCTs included osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) or atomoxetine (ATX) as a head-to-head comparator or as a reference treatment. Three definitions of response were used in these analyses: reductions of ⩾30% or ⩾50% in ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) total score plus a Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) score of 1 or 2, or an ADHD-RS-IV total score of ⩽18.

Results: At the end point, LDX response rates for the least stringent criterion of ⩾30% reduction in ADHD-RS-IV total score plus a CGI-I score of 1 or 2 ranged from 69.6% to 82.6%. The proportion achieving the more stringent criterion of a reduction in ADHD-RS-IV total score of ⩾50% plus a CGI-I score of 1 or 2 at the end point ranged from 59.8% to 74.8%. An ADHD-RS-IV total score of ⩽18 at the end point was achieved by 56.7-79.9% of participants. Response rates remained stable throughout the long-term open-label studies.

Conclusions: Response rates were similar for the two more stringent response criteria. The less stringent criterion resulted in higher response rates and may include partial responders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)874-882
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology
Volume34
Issue number8
Early online date11 Feb 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • lisdexamfetamine dimesylate
  • response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Post hoc analyses of response rates to pharmacological treatments in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this