Concomitant Medication Use in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Concomitant Medication Use in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials
Language: English
Authors: Shurtz, Logan (ORCID 0000-0003-4669-0388), Schwartz, Chloe, DiStefano, Charlotte, McPartland, James C., Levin, April R., Dawson, Geraldine, Kleinhans, Natalia M., Faja, Susan (ORCID 0000-0001-6876-3643), Webb, Sara J., Shic, Frederick, Naples, Adam J., Seow, Helen, Bernier, Raphael A., Chawarska, Katarzyna, Sugar, Catherine A., Dziura, James, Senturk, Damla, Santhosh, Megha, Jeste, Shafali S.
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. May 2023 27(4):952-966.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2023
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: U19MH108206
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Drug Therapy, Incidence, Child Behavior, Research Methodology, Behavior Problems, Hyperactivity, Personality Traits, Children, Preadolescents, Individual Characteristics
Geographic Terms: Massachusetts (Boston), California (Los Angeles), Washington, North Carolina, Connecticut (New Haven)
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Aberrant Behavior Checklist
DOI: 10.1177/13623613221121425
ISSN: 1362-3613
1461-7005
Abstract: Children with autism spectrum disorder are prescribed various medications to address behavior and mood. In clinical trials, individuals taking concomitant psychotropic medications often are excluded to maintain homogeneity and prevent contamination of clinical endpoints. However, this choice may compromise the representativeness of the sample. In a recent study designed to identify biomarkers and endpoints for clinical trials (the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials), school-age children with autism spectrum disorder were enrolled without excluding for medications, providing the opportunity to examine characteristics of psychotropic medication use and guide future decisions on medication-related inclusion criteria. The aims of the current analysis were (1) to quantify the frequency and type of psychotropic medications reported in school-age children enrolled in the study and (2) to examine behavioral features of children with autism spectrum disorder based on medication classes. Of the 280 children with autism spectrum disorder in the cohort, 42.5% were taking psychotropic medications, with polypharmacy in half. The most commonly reported psychotropic medications included melatonin, stimulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, alpha agonists, and antipsychotics. Our findings suggest that exclusion of children taking concomitant psychotropic medications could limit the representativeness of the study population, perhaps even excluding children who may most benefit from new treatment options.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1374443
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Children with autism spectrum disorder are prescribed various medications to address behavior and mood. In clinical trials, individuals taking concomitant psychotropic medications often are excluded to maintain homogeneity and prevent contamination of clinical endpoints. However, this choice may compromise the representativeness of the sample. In a recent study designed to identify biomarkers and endpoints for clinical trials (the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials), school-age children with autism spectrum disorder were enrolled without excluding for medications, providing the opportunity to examine characteristics of psychotropic medication use and guide future decisions on medication-related inclusion criteria. The aims of the current analysis were (1) to quantify the frequency and type of psychotropic medications reported in school-age children enrolled in the study and (2) to examine behavioral features of children with autism spectrum disorder based on medication classes. Of the 280 children with autism spectrum disorder in the cohort, 42.5% were taking psychotropic medications, with polypharmacy in half. The most commonly reported psychotropic medications included melatonin, stimulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, alpha agonists, and antipsychotics. Our findings suggest that exclusion of children taking concomitant psychotropic medications could limit the representativeness of the study population, perhaps even excluding children who may most benefit from new treatment options.
ISSN:1362-3613
1461-7005
DOI:10.1177/13623613221121425