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The caregiver perspective on pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) study (CAPPA) was a web-based, cross-sectional survey of caregivers of children and adolescents (6-17 years of age) with ADHD and was conducted in 10 European countries. CAPPA included caregiver assessments of global medication satisfaction, global symptom control, and satisfaction with ADHD medication attributes. Overall, 2,326 caregiver responses indicated that their child or adolescent was currently receiving ADHD medication and completed the "off medication" assessment required for inclusion in the present analyses. Responses to the single-item global medication satisfaction question indicated that 88% were satisfied (moderately satisfied to very satisfied) with current medication and 18% were "very satisfied" on the single-item question. Responses to the single-item global symptom control question indicated that 47% and 19% of caregivers considered their child or adolescent's symptoms to be "controlled" or "very well controlled", respectively. Significant variations in response to the questions of medication satisfaction and symptom control were observed between countries. The correlation between the global medication satisfaction and global symptom control questions was 0.677 (P<0.001). Global medication satisfaction was significantly correlated (P<0.001) with all assessed medication attributes, with the highest correlations observed for symptom control (r=0.601) and effect duration (r=0.449). Correlations of medication attributes with global symptom control were generally lower than with global medication satisfaction but were all statistically significant (P<0.001). CAPPA medication satisfaction and symptom control were also significantly correlated (P<0.001) with symptom control as based on the ADHD-Rating Scale-IV symptom score and the number of bad days per month when on medication. In conclusion, caregiver responses in this European sample suggest that current treatment could potentially be improved. The observed correlations of global medication satisfaction with global symptom control and other CAPPA assessments, including medication attributes, provide support for the inter-connectivity of the medication satisfaction and symptom control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the lives of patients and their families. The Caregiver Perspective on Paediatric ADHD (CAPPA) survey was conducted to evaluate the burden associated with ADHD in Europe and to identify unmet needs. Here, we describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, treatment use and impact of ADHD.Methods: The cross-sectional web-based CAPPA survey was fielded in 10 European countries among caregivers of children/adolescents (aged 6-17 years) with ADHD who were currently receiving or had received pharmacotherapy in the previous 6 months.Results: Data on 3688 completed CAPPA surveys were evaluated. Children/adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD at a mean age of 6.9 years; 80% were male. Most children/adolescents (56%) had undergone behavioural therapy. Overall, 78% of children/adolescents currently received ADHD pharmacotherapy; high rates of atypical antipsychotic use were reported in some countries. Overall, 23% of children/adolescents had repeated a school year and 4% had been expelled recently. Most caregivers (68-88%) reported difficulty with schoolwork, social interactions/activities and family relationships, even when the child/adolescent was receiving ADHD medication. Almost one third (31%) of caregivers felt the need to change employment status despite their child/adolescent receiving ADHD medication in 53% of these cases.Limitations: Information was reported by caregivers recruited through market research panels; reporting, recall and selection biases may be present.Conclusion: Variation across Europe was observed in characteristics of caregivers and children/adolescents with ADHD, and treatment use. Even with medication, ADHD compromised or negatively impacted caregivers' work and children/adolescents' schoolwork, their social interactions and family relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "Management of ADHD in children across Europe: patient demographics, physician characteristics, and treatment patterns" in a 2013 issue is presented.