Rasmussen Lotte, Bilenberg Niels, Thomsen Ernst Martin, Abitz Boysen Sidsel, Pottegård Anton
Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, Mental Health Hospital and University Clinic, Region of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
J Clin Med. 2018 Oct 10;7(10):339. doi: 10.3390/jcm7100339.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a considerable use of psychotropics. Leveraging nationwide registry data, we aimed to describe the use of psychotropics among children and adolescents with ASD in Denmark. Use of melatonin and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication increased from 2010 to 2017, while there were limited changes in use of antidepressants and antipsychotics. Thirty percent of the identified children used psychotropics in 2017 most commonly ADHD medication (17%) and melatonin (13%). Methylphenidate, sertraline and risperidone were most often prescribed. Most children filled more than one prescription and, across drug classes, at least 38% received treatment two years after treatment initiation. Use of psychotropics followed psychiatric comorbidities. Comorbidities did not affect age at treatment initiation. Use of psychotropics varied according to age and sex with limited use in the youngest children. In summary, psychotropic drug use has increased in children with ASD mainly due to an increase in the use of ADHD medication and melatonin. In accordance with previous studies, use seems to follow comorbidities. The long treatment duration underlines the need to investigate long-term effects of psychotropic drug use in children with ASD.
患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的儿童大量使用精神药物。利用全国登记数据，我们旨在描述丹麦患有ASD的儿童和青少年中精神药物的使用情况。从2010年到2017年，褪黑素和注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）药物的使用有所增加，而抗抑郁药和抗精神病药的使用变化有限。2017年，30%的确诊儿童使用精神药物，最常用的是ADHD药物（17%）和褪黑素（13%）。哌甲酯、舍曲林和利培酮是最常开具的药物。大多数儿童开具了不止一份处方，并且在所有药物类别中，至少38%的儿童在开始治疗两年后仍在接受治疗。精神药物的使用与精神共病有关。共病不影响开始治疗的年龄。精神药物的使用因年龄和性别而异，最小的儿童使用较少。总之，ASD儿童中精神药物的使用有所增加，主要是由于ADHD药物和褪黑素的使用增加。与先前的研究一致，使用情况似乎与共病有关。长期的治疗时间凸显了调查精神药物在ASD儿童中使用的长期影响的必要性。
