TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Ferrara, Francesco
AU  -  Zavaleta, Esteban
AU  -  Vitiello, Antonio
AU  -  Villalobos, Jorge Arturo
AU  -  Zovi, Andrea
AU  -  Langella, Roberto
AU  -  Serrano, Bruno
AU  -  Trama, Ugo
AU  -  Arguedas, Sebastian
AU  -  Nava, Eduardo
AU  -  Diaz, Pablo
AU  -  Bianco, Elvira
AU  -  Russo, Giuseppe
T1  -  Retrospective observational study on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the prescription of medications for the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Comparison of a European and an American cohort
PY  -  2023
Y1  -  2023-11-01
DO  -  10.1708/4143.41408
JO  -  Rivista di Psichiatria
JA  -  Riv Psichiatr
VL  -  58
IS  -  6
SP  -  284
EP  -  292
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2038-2502
Y2  -  2026/05/21
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1708/4143.41408
N2  -  Summary. Background. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychological disorder that affects the development of children and adolescents. The causes are not fully known although the origin of the disorder appears to depend on a combination of environmental, social, biochemical, and genetic factors. There is substantial evidence the Covid-19 pandemic caused an increase in mental disorders and therefore in spending related to the treatment of diseases. Method. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in two international centers of very different origins and cultures, one in Europe (Italy) and one in Central America (Costa Rica), to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ADHD medication prescriptions and its costs. The analysis resulting from mining the databases in each individual nation allowed for the actual amounts of defined daily dose (DDD) prescribed and dispensed between the years 2019 and 2022 of methylphenidate and atomoxetine. Results. The data show that the Italian ADHD medications DDDs and expenditure are aligned with the results in Costa Rica. It was found that from the year 2019 to the year 2022, both methylphenidate and atomoxetine prescriptions grew steadily, confirming a much higher incidence of the condition than in pre-pandemic periods. Conclusions. Our study shows that the global pandemic had an influence on the increase in the number of ADHD medication prescriptions. Individuals with ADHD are a population of individuals who may be particularly vulnerable to the distress caused by the pandemic, restrictions, and severe physical removal measures that have occurred in recent years.
ER  -