Objective

To report an evaluation of the efficacy of once-daily OROS® methylphenidate (MPH) (brand name CONCERTA) in girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) by reviewing data from four randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

Background

ADHD is an important cause of psychiatric disability in girls, and is currently under recognized and undertreated. More boys than girls present with AD/HD. DSM-IV estimates the male: female ratio as 9:1 (based on the proportion of girls referred to clinics), and yet community-based studies have sometimes shown the ratio to be as low as 2.5:1. This suggests that AD/HD prevalence in girls is seriously underestimated and that many school-aged girls with AD/HD are unlikely to be properly diagnosed and treated. Without adequate treatment, girls with AD/HD are likely to have academic underachievement, low self-esteem, few friends, and sleep problems. In addition, some may exhibit excessive talkativeness, introversion, and in adolescence to indulge in risky behaviours, such as …