ЭХЭМҮТ
Background: Policy makers and clinicians increasingly seek evidence-based guidance on how to provide pediatric mental health services. Systematic reviews have come to be accepted to produce the best estimates of clinical efficacy and effectiveness. The present analysis reviews effectiveness and side effects of methylphenidate for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.
Materials and methods: A systematic review was done focusing on the published studies which aimed at evaluating methylphenidate for attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.
Results: There were a few published studies. Methylphenidate, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, is the most common treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and may be prescribed for years, despite little evidence of any long-term benefit, nor knowledge of potential chronic side-effects. (i) Drug therapy seems to be superior to no drug therapy; (ii) no significant differences between the various drugs in terms of efficacy or side effects were found – mainly due to lack of evidence; (iii) the literature suggests that three weeks is the minimum duration for therapeutic effect.
Conclusion: There is a need for a new systematic review of pediatric attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment strategies which ideally should address outcomes beyond children's healthrelated quality of life, such as long-term sequelae of the disorder and caregiver burden.
