Multiple psychiatric diagnoses common in privately insured children on atypical antipsychotics

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2010 May;49(5):485-90. doi: 10.1177/0009922809347369. Epub 2010 Jan 28.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of atypical antipsychotic use in privately insured children and the diagnoses associated with treatment.

Study design: Claims were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study of children aged 2 through 18 years in the Midwest, covered by private insurance between 2002 and 2005 (n = 172,766). The 1-year prevalence of children receiving atypical antipsychotics was determined along with associated diagnoses.

Results: The 1-year prevalence of atypical antipsychotics ranged from 7.9 per 1000 in 2002 to 9.0 in 2005. The leading diagnoses were disruptive behavior disorders (67%), mood disorders (65%), and anxiety disorders (43%).The authors found that 75% of children on atypical antipsychotics had more than one psychiatric diagnosis.

Conclusions: Atypical antipsychotic use is primarily seen in children who have multiple psychiatric diagnoses. Studies are needed to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness in such patients with multiple diagnoses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / economics
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Drug Utilization / economics
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Psychiatric / economics
  • Insurance, Psychiatric / statistics & numerical data*
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mental Disorders / economics
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Private Sector / economics
  • Private Sector / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Distribution
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents