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Cited by 63Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Psychopharmacological treatment in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in Germany

Bachmann, Christian J., Manthey, Thomas, Kamp-Becker, Inge, Glaeske, Gerd, Hoffmann, Falk·2013·Research in Developmental Disabilities
DOI 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.05.028
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Abstract

Data on psychopharmacological treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are scarce, especially for European countries. This study evaluated psychopharmacotherapy utilisation in children and adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD in Germany. Data of a large statutory health insurance company were analysed and outpatients aged 0-24 years with a diagnosis of ASD during a 1-year-period (2009) were identified. For this cohort, the prescription of psychopharmacotherapy was evaluated. Aditionally, we analysed time trends in prescriptions from 2004 to 2009. One thousand one hundred twenty-four patients (75.4% male; mean age: 11.1 years) matched the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of ASD was 0.37% in males and 0.12% in females, respectively. Of all ASD patients, 33.0% were prescribed psychotropic drugs in 2009. 12.5% of ASD patients were treated with stimulants or atomoxetine, 11.7% with antipsychotics, 9.1% with antiepileptics, 6.8% with benzodiazepines, and 3.8% with antidepressants/SSRI. Regarding substances, methylphenidate (24.4% of all psychotropic prescriptions), risperidone (13.3%) and valproate (9.1%) were most frequently prescribed. Psychopharmacologic treatment prevalence was age-related and increased from 16.3% in individuals aged 0-4 years to 55.1% in 20-24 year olds. From 2004 to 2009, the proportion of ASD patients treated with psychotropic drugs rose from 25.9% to 33.0%. This naturalistic study furnishes evidence that the proportion of ASD patients treated with psychotropic drugs has grown considerably in Germany over the least years, with methylphenidate and risperidone being the most frequently prescribed substances. Compared with data from the USA, the proportion of ASD patients with psychopharmacological treatment is noticeably lower in Germany.

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  • There is evidence of benefit in ASD from dopaminergic and noradrenergic stimulation with methylphenidate and from purely noradrenergic stimulation with atomoxetine.

    “there is evidence of benefit by dopaminergic and noradrenergic stimulation with methylphenidate (25) and of purely noradrenergic stimulation with atomoxetine (148).”

    From Can Bayesian Theories of Autism Spectrum Disorder Help Improve Clinical Practice? (2016) · cites this paper as [25]

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Authors
Bachmann, C. J., Manthey, T., Kamp-Becker, I., Glaeske, G., & Hoffmann, F.
Affiliations
  • Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
  • University of Bremen (DE)
Corresponding author
Bachmann, Christian J.
ORCID
Venue
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-09
Volume
34
Issue
9
Pages
2551-2563
ISSN
0891-4222 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ridd.2013.05.028
OpenAlex
W2078390152
Cited by
63
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 1
FWCI
4.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Research in Developmental Disabilities (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, psychopharmacological treatment, psychotropic prescribing, methylphenidate, risperidone, valproic acid, antipsychotic drugs, stimulants, antiepileptic drugs, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, children and adolescents, treatment prevalence, temporal trends, Germany
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Anticonvulsants, Autistic Disorder, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Female, Germany, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Methylphenidate, Antipsychotic Agents, United States, Valproic Acid, Prevalence, Risperidone, Young Adult

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