The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities .
Research on the quality of life ( QL ) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades .
Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric population s , the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to  QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research .
A long-term open-label safety and effectiveness trial of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE Information on psychostimulant treatment in long-term studies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) in adolescents is limited . This study aim ed to assess the safety and effectiveness of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate ( LDX ) over 52 weeks in adolescents with ADHD . METHODS This open-label multicenter study enrolled eligible participants after their participation in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled 4 week trial in adolescents with ADHD . Following a 4 week dose-optimization phase , participants were maintained on treatment for up to ∼48 weeks on an optimal dose . Safety assessment s included treatment-emergent adverse events ( TEAEs ) , vital signs , laboratory findings , and electrocardiograms . Effectiveness measures included the ADHD Rating Scale IV ( ADHD-RS-IV ; primary ) and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement ( CGI-I ) . The Youth Quality of Life- Research Version ( YQOL-R ) was also included in this study ; raw scores are transformed to a 0 - 100 point scale . RESULTS Of 269 enrolled ( from the antecedent study ) , 265 ( 98.5 % ) were in the safety population and effectiveness population . Common TEAEs ( ≥5 % ) with LDX included upper respiratory tract infection ( 21.9 % ) , decreased appetite ( 21.1 % ) , headache ( 20.8 % ) , decreased weight ( 16.2 % ) , irritability ( 12.5 % ) , insomnia ( 12.1 % ) , nasopharyngitis ( 7.2 % ) , influenza ( 6.8 % ) , dizziness ( 5.3 % ) , and dry mouth ( 5.3 % ) . At end point , for all LDX doses in the overall safety population , mean ( SD ) increase from baseline in systolic blood pressure was 2.3 ( 10.53 ) mm Hg , diastolic blood pressure was 2.5 ( 8.37 ) mm Hg , and pulse rate was 6.3 ( 12.74 ) bpm . No clinical ly meaningful electrocardiogram or vital sign changes were observed . At end point with LDX treatment , the ADHD-RS-IV mean ( SD ) total score change from antecedent study baseline was -26.2 ( 9.75 ) ( p<0.001 ) ; 87.2 % of participants were improved ( CGI-I=1 or 2 ) . Baseline ( antecedent study ) mean ( SD ) YQOL-R perceptual total score was 79.8 ( 11.28 ) and increased by 3.9 ( 9.73 ) at end point ( p<0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS LDX demonstrated a long-term safety profile similar to that of other long-acting psychostimulants and was effective , as indicated by improvements in ADHD symptoms and participant-perceived YQOL , in adolescents with ADHD . CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT00764868 , http://www . clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00764868?term=SPD489-306&rank=1
The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities .
Research on the quality of life ( QL ) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades .
Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric population s , the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to  QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research .