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. 2014 Jan 17;111(3):25-34.
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0025.

Antipsychotic prescription in children and adolescents: an analysis of data from a German statutory health insurance company from 2005 to 2012

Christian J Bachmann  1 , Thomas Lempp, Gerd Glaeske, Falk Hoffmann
Affiliations

Antipsychotic prescription in children and adolescents: an analysis of data from a German statutory health insurance company from 2005 to 2012

Christian J Bachmann et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. .

Abstract

Background: Despite sparse documentation of their long-term therapeutic effects and side effects, antipsychotic drugs have come to be prescribed more frequently for children and adolescents in recent years, both in the USA and in Europe. No current data are available about antipsychotic prescriptions for this age group in Germany.

Methods: Data from the largest statutory health insurance fund in Germany (BARMER GEK) were studied to identify antipsychotic prescriptions for children and adolescents (age 0-19 years) from 2005 to 2012 and analyze them with respect to age, sex, drug prescribed, prescribing medical specialty, and any observable secular trends.

Results: The percentage of children and adolescents receiving a prescription for an antipsychotic drug rose from 0.23% in 2005 to 0.32% in 2012. In particular, atypical antipsychotic drugs were prescribed more frequently over time (from 0.10% in 2005 to 0.24% in 2012). The rise in antipsychotic prescriptions was particularly marked among 10- to 14-year-olds (from 0.24% to 0.43%) and among 15- to 19-year-olds (from 0.34% to 0.54%). The prescribing physicians were mostly either child and adolescent psychiatrists or pediatricians; the most commonly prescribed drugs were risperidone and pipamperone. Risperidone was most commonly prescribed for patients with hyperkinetic disorders and conduct disorders.

Conclusion: In Germany as in other industrialized countries, antipsychotic drugs have come to be prescribed more frequently for children and adolescents in ecent years. The German figures, while still lower than those from North America, are in the middle range of figures from European countries. The causes of the increase should be critically examined; if appropriate, the introduction of prescribing guidelines of a more restrictive nature could be considered.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The percentage of children and adolescents receiving prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs over the period 2005–2012, by type of drug (classic vs. atypical)
Figure 2
Figure 2
The percentage of children and adolescents receiving prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs over the period 2005–2012, by age group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Psychotropic medication in children and adolescents.
    Lehmkuhl G, Schubert I. Lehmkuhl G, et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 Jan 17;111(3):23-4. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0023. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014. PMID: 24606779 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • More patients in less time.
    Calia G. Calia G. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 May 16;111(20):364. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0364a. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014. PMID: 24882628 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Administering shortages.
    Neraal T. Neraal T. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 May 16;111(20):364. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0364b. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014. PMID: 24882629 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Turning children into psychiatric patients.
    Kohns U. Kohns U. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 May 16;111(20):364-5. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0364c. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014. PMID: 24882630 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • In reply.
    Bachmann CJ, Hoffmann F. Bachmann CJ, et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 May 16;111(20):365. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0365. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014. PMID: 24882631 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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