Coronavirus Pandemic - #STAYHOME: How Are You Holding Up? Questions And Tips For 11-18 Year Olds To Make It Better

Introduction

Adolescents have to cope with several challenges and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of those incongruent with the typical developmental tasks of adolescent age. Some adolescent might be particularly vulnerable in this situation.

Objectives

This study aimed: 1) to collect data on the mental health and quality of life of adolescents during/after the pandemic; 2. to improve adolescents’ mental health by providing an online prevention program that addresses their actual needs; 3. to accelerate the development of culturally adapted prevention programs by involving an international team, and 4. to contribute to adequate preparation for any similar situation in the future.

Methods

Participants aged 11-18 years and their parents/caregivers were recruited online. Data has been collected regularly in a follow-up study by Inventar zur Erfassung der Lebensqualitat and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The baseline data collection was in March 2020 at first restrictions of the COVID pandemic in Europe

Results

In the baseline data 428 adolescents (29.7% boys;70.3% girls) were included. Adolescents reported significantly lower quality of life during the pandemic (F (1,557) = 29.11; p <0.001; R2 = 0.048). There was no significant difference in quality of life according to whether the adolescents live in a household with their siblings ( F (2, 356) = 0.785 p = 0.457; η2 = 0.004), and whether the adolescents have symptoms of hyperactivity (ß = 0.105; p = 0.295).

Conclusions

Prevention based on the results of this study is expected to contribute to maintaining adolescents’ mental health during and after the COVID pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Long-term suicide risk of children and adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder – a systematic review

Introduction

Several studies showed the high suicide risk of patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however most of these studies had cross-sectional design.

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to review systematically those studies which investigated the suicide risk among ADHD patients with longitudinal design.

Methods

The systematic search was made on OVID Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search terms were (ADHD OR attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) AND (suicide OR suicidal OR suicidality) AND (follow-up OR longitudinal study OR prospective study). Inclusion criteria were: written in English; participants under 18 years at the baseline; longitudinal, prospective studies; ADHD population at the baseline and at the follow-up; suicide behavior as primary outcome. Exclusion criteria were: the study did not contain empirical data, and reviews/meta-analyses and studies which aimed to investigate the drug treatment efficacy of ADHD.

Results

18 papers were included in the systematic review. 10 articles were published in the last 5 years. 9 studies enrolled children aged under 12 at baseline. The follow-up periods varied between 2 and 17 years. 17 studies found a significant positive association between ADHD diagnosis at baseline and the future suicidal behavior and/or attempts at the follow-up. The affective comorbidity showed an association with the future suicide risk.

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of screening suicidality in patient with ADHD and consider it during treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of the treatment and comorbidities of ADHD in the increased suicide risk.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Prospective observational study protocol to investigate long-term adverse effects of methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ADHD: the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) study

INTRODUCTION

Methylphenidate is the most frequently used medication for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Europe. Following concerns about its safety, the European Commission called for research into the long-term effects of methylphenidate on children and adolescents with ADHD. The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) research programme was designed to address this call. At the heart of this programme is a 2-year longitudinal naturalistic pharmacovigilance study being conducted in 27 European sites.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

3 cohorts of children and adolescents (aged 6-17) living in the UK, Germany, Italy and Hungary are being recruited:Group 1 (Medicated ADHD): 800 ADHD medication-naive children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD about to start methylphenidate treatment for the first time.Group 2 (Unmedicated ADHD): 400 children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD who have never been treated with ADHD medication and have no intention of beginning medication.Group 3 (Non-ADHD): 400 children and adolescents without ADHD who are siblings of individuals in either group 1 or 2.All participants will be assessed 5 times during their 2-year follow-up period for growth and development, psychiatric, neurological and cardiovascular health. The primary outcome measure will be the height velocity SD score.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval for the study has been granted by the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service. Following this approval, patient information leaflets and consent forms were translated as necessary and submissions made by lead sites in each of the other 3 countries to their own ethics committees. Following ethical approval in each country, local ethical permissions at each site were sought and obtained as needed. The study's website (http://www.adhd-adduce.org/page/view/2/Home) provides information for researchers, participants and the general public.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01470261.