Atomoxetine treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: what are the long-term health-related quality-of-life outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: Numerous investigations have examined the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, relatively few studies have addressed the impact of treatment on long-term subjective, psychosocial outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study examines the long-term effects of pharmacological treatment with atomoxetine on HRQL in children and adolescents with ADHD.

METHODS: Participants included 6- to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 912) with ADHD enrolled in a 24-month, multicenter, open-label trial of atomoxetine. Outcomes included clinician ratings of ADHD, parent ratings of ADHD, and a widely used measure of HRQL (The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)). Treatment response rates were calculated based on a CHQ improvement of at least 1 standard error of measurement.

RESULTS: Significant improvements in HRQL were found following both acute and long-term treatment for psychosocial but not physical health. Of participants who completed treatment (n = 312 or 34.2% of those enrolled), 81% responded to acute treatment and 78% responded to long-term treatment. Improvements noted after acute treatment were maintained during long-term treatment with the majority of participants (86%) continuing to respond to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Atomoxetine is associated with improvements in HRQL, and the improvements are generally stable over time.