Objective: The present study aimed to determine the rate of treatment compliance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that were newly prescribed methylphenidate, and to evaluate the associated clinical and sociodemographic factors, as well as parental concerns about drug treatment.
Method: The sample of this prospective and observational study consisted of 238 children aged 7-18 years with ADHD diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. At the end of the first year, the study sample was splitted into 2 groups; compliant and non-compliant. Parental attitudes toward drug therapy, and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of the 2 groups were compared. A clinician rated parental concerns about drug treatment 4-6 weeks after the interview that was conducted in order to inform them about methylphenidate therapy. Regarding a minimum requirement of 5 days weekly dosage and drug holidays, cases that took more than 70% of the recommended methylphenidate dose at the end of the first year were described as compliant.
Results: At the end of the first year of treatment, the drug compliance rate was 80.3% (n= 191). The non-compliant group consisted of older children. A significant difference was observed between the compliant and non-compliant groups in terms of parental approach toward drug treatment. Children in the non-compliant group had parents that had doubts about pharmacotherapy and these children were less compliant with methylphenidate treatment.
Conclusion: Parental concerns about methylphenidate treatment in ADHD may influence treatment compliance. Additionally, it is suggested that developmental psychological characteristics associated with adolescence may also be important.