Co-morbidity and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Saudi Arabia

To review the experience of a child psychiatric clinic regarding co-morbidity and treatment characteristics of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], a retrospective study was done on patients under 19 years who were attending the clinic and were diagnosed with ADHD. Co-morbidity and treatment characteristics were also studied. ADHD was diagnosed in 25.5% of the patients. Of these, 28.3% had coexistent expressive language disorder and 38.7% coexistent mild mental retardation. A psychostimulant [methylphenidate] was prescribed to 23.6% while antidepressants [primarily imipramine] were prescribed to 35.9%. Behavioural therapy was the most commonly offered psychotherapy. Antidepressants were used more than psychostimulants. Psychotropics had a more beneficial effect than psychotherapy

Inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric referrals in Saudi Arabia: clinical profiles and treatment

A retrospective review was made of the case records of inpatients referred to the psychiatric consultation-liaison service of King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia over a 6-year period. For the 109 patients under 18 years old, the study noted both the medical or surgical diseases diagnosed as well as psychiatric disorders and the treatment approaches used by psychiatrists. Depressive and adjustment disorders were the most often diagnosed psychiatric illnesses.The most common medical diagnoses were epilepsy, drug overdose, ambiguous genitalia, orthopaedic injuries and diabetes mellitus.Young people with these medical problems are in real need of psychological assessment and intervention