Psychiatry Investig.  2018 Jun;15(6):649-654. 10.30773/pi.2018.02.25.1.

Effects of Atomoxetine on Height and Weight in Korean Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review

• Kweon K
• Yoon JS
• Park KJ
• Kim SO
• Choi JH
• Kim HW

• KMID: 2428890
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2018.02.25.1

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of atomoxetine on growth in Korean children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
METHODS
The medical records of 82 subjects (mean age, 9.0±2.0 years; 64 boys) with ADHD treated with atomoxetine for at least 1 year at the Department of Psychiatry at Asan Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Height and weight data were prospectively obtained and retrospectively gathered and converted to age- and gender-corrected z scores using norms from Korean youths. Growth changes were analyzed using random coefficients models with changes in height or weight z scores as the dependent variables.
RESULTS
Height z scores significantly decreased during the treatment period (β=-0.054, p=0.024). Height z scores decreased during the 1st year of treatment (β=-0.086, p=0.003), but did not change after the 1st year. Weight z scores did not change significantly during treatment (β=0.004, p=0.925).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that long-term atomoxetine treatment may be associated with deficits in height growth in Korean youths, although this effect was minor and tended to be attenuated over the first year. Because of the limitations of this study such as retrospective design and selection bias, further prospective studies are needed.

Keyword

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Youth; Atomoxetine; Height; Weight

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Atomoxetine Hydrochloride*
Child*
Chungcheongnam-do
Humans
Medical Records
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies*
Selection Bias
Atomoxetine Hydrochloride