Table 1. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Youth Treated With Psychotropic Polypharmacy From 1999-2015.
| Characteristic | Weighted % (95% CI)a | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2004 (Weighted n = 101 836; unweighted n = 98) | 2005-2010 (Weighted n = 222 955; unweighted n = 158) | 2011-2015 (Weighted n = 293 492; unweighted n = 209) | |
| Age, y | |||
| 0-4 | NAb | NAb | 1.3 (0-3.4) |
| 5-12 | 51.5 (37.3-65.8) | 52.3 (42.0-62.6) | 33.8 (25.0-42.6) |
| 13-18 | 48.5 (34.2-62.7) | 47.7 (37.4-58.0) | 64.9 (55.6-74.1) |
| Sex | |||
| Male | 69.2 (59.9-81.4) | 75.6 (65.0-86.2) | 64.0 (52.0-76.0) |
| Female | 30.8 (18.6-43.1) | 24.4 (13.8-35.0) | 36.0 (24.0-48.5) |
| Race/ethnicity | |||
| Non-Hispanic | |||
| White | 80.9 (72.0-90.0) | 79.5 (72.0-87.1) | 70.7 (62.4-79.1) |
| Black | 6.6 (1.3-12.0) | 8.7 (4.1-13.3) | 12.6 (6.0-19.1) |
| Hispanic and other | 3.8 (5.0-20.0) | 11.8 (5.3-18.3) | 16.7 (10.4-22.9) |
| Psychotropic classes | |||
| Antipsychotics | 38.3 (25.2-51.5) | 69.0 (59.2-78.8) | 75.6 (65.4-85.7) |
| Antidepressants | 71.3 (59.7-83.0) | 62.7 (51.5-74.0) | 64.2 (53.5-74.9) |
| Stimulants/atomoxetine | 77.8 (66.2-89.5) | 82.1 (72.2-91.9) | 78.1 (68.5-87.6) |
| Sedatives/anxiolytics | 21.8 (9.8-33.7) | 13.5 (4.8-22.1) | 15.7 (6.9-24.5) |
| α-Agonistsc | 48.6 (34.6-62.5) | 48.5 (37.1-59.9) | 62.1 (51.3-72.9) |
| Mood stabilizers | 61.2 (47.7-74.7) | 40.6 (30.4-50.9) | 37.98 (27.4-48.6) |
| No. of psychiatric diagnoses | |||
| 0-1 | Not evaluabled | 42.2 (31.4-53.9) | 22.3 (13.0-31.6) |
| 2 | 52.6 (42.1-63.2) | 62.4 (52.5-72.3) | |
| ≥3 | 5.2 (0.1-10.3) | 15.3 (8.1-22.5) | |
| Psychiatric diagnosis | |||
| ADHD | 81.4 (72.2-90.5) | 85.2 (76.3-94.1) | |
| Mood disordere | 48.6 (38.2-59.0) | 60.0 (50.2-69.9) | |
| Schizophrenia | 3.7 (0-7.7) | 1.0 (0-2.9) | |
| Adjustment disorder | 0.4 (0-1.3) | 0.3 (0-0.9) | |
| Development disorder | NAb | 5.1 (1.1-9.1) | |
| Anxiety disorder | 25.3 (14.9-35,7) | 38.6 (27.3-49.8) | |
| Autism and otherf | 19.7 (9.4-29.9) | 26.9 (16.6-37.2) | |
| Otherg | 6.3 (1.2-11.4) | 14.4 (6.4-22.4) | |
Abbreviation: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; NA, not applicable.
a
Weighted proportions were reported as nationally representative estimates of youth characteristics in each period.
b
NA indicates that the sample did not capture any events in corresponding cells.
c
Included guanfacine and clonidine.
d
Psychiatric diagnoses were not reported in 1999 to 2004 as surveyed medical conditions were not comparable to those in other years.
e
Included depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
f
Included autism, elimination disorders, tic disorders, and other mental disorders diagnosed in infants, children, and adolescents.
g
Included personality disorder, substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and other miscellaneous psychiatric disorders.