Methylphenidate in children in Brazil: Critical analysis of scientific publications from 2004 to 2014

Abstract

Introduction. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compromises academic performance, social and family relationships in 3 to 7% of Brazilian schoolchildren. Methylphenidate is a mild central nervous system stimulant used to treatment ADHD, with short and long-term effects already described but others are not yet known. Objective. To analyze the Brazilian scientific literature on the effects of Methylphenidate in children diagnosed with ADHD. Method. Systematic review with selection and quality appraisal of included studies performed by independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria: Brazilian articles addressing students diagnosed with ADHD and in use of Methylphenidate. Exclusion criteria: articles published before 2004 or with samples with other age groups or that did not assess the effects of Methylphenidate usage. Results. Seventeen articles were included, five with moderate and three with high methodological quality. Conclusions. The evidentiary base produced in Brazil lacks better methodological quality. The production of moderate to high-quality shows heterogeneity of the effects of Methylphenidate. It is necessary to undertake clinical trials and cohorts studies with greater samples, follow-up time, and inclusion of various subtypes of ADHD, and use of more objective methods to evaluate Methylphenidate’s effects in schoolchildren and that also address antidependency effect.