BMJ Ment Health. 2024 Jan 22;27(1):e300894. doi: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300894.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melatonin is commonly used to treat sleep disturbance in children and adolescents, although uncertainties about its optimal use remain.
OBJECTIVE: To determine to what extent prescribing of melatonin complies with evidence-based clinical practice standards.
METHODS: As part of a quality improvement programme, the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health conducted a retrospective clinical audit in UK services for children and adolescents.
FINDINGS: Data were submitted for 4151 children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, treated with melatonin: 3053 (74%) had a diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder. In 2655 (73%) of the 3651 patients prescribed melatonin to be taken regularly, the main reason was to reduce sleep latency (time taken to fall asleep). In 409 patients recently starting melatonin, a non-pharmacological intervention had already been tried in 279 (68%). The therapeutic response of patients early in treatment (n=899) and on long-term treatment (n=2353) had been assessed and quantified in 36% and 31%, respectively, while for review of side effects, the respective proportions were 46% and 43%. Planned treatment breaks were documented in 317 (13%) of those on long-term treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin was predominantly prescribed for evidence-based clinical indications, but the clinical review and monitoring of this treatment fell short of best practice.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: With limited methodical review of melatonin use in their patients, clinicians will fail to garner reliable information on its risks and benefits for individual patients. The lack of such practice-based evidence may increase the risk of melatonin being inappropriately targeted or continued despite being ineffective or no longer indicated.
PMID:39093720 | DOI:10.1136/bmjment-2023-300894
