O impacto da polifarmácia na qualidade de vida de pessoas com Transtorno de Espectro Autista (TEA)

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, along with the presence of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Despite advances in the diagnosis and understanding of the disorder, there is still no known cure for ASD. Therefore, treatment focuses on mitigating symptoms that compromise individuals' functionality and well-being. This treatment may involve a combination of psychosocial and pharmacological approaches, with pharmacotherapy often used to manage associated behavioral and emotional symptoms. However, the practice of polypharmacy—defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications—has become increasingly common, raising concerns about its potential impact on the quality of life of this population. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between polypharmacy and the quality of life of individuals with ASD. Two questionnaires were administered via the Google Forms platform to parents and/or caregivers of individuals with ASD aged between 2 and 25 years. The first questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, while the second applied the PedsQLTM 4.0 (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) to measure quality of life. Quantitative continuous and discrete variables (number of medications and quality of life) were analyzed using the Student's t-test for unpaired samples; for variables without normal distribution (as verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test), the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used. Nominal qualitative variables related to caregivers’ perceptions of treatment (positive, neutral, or negative responses) were analyzed using the chi-square test (χ2) and descriptive analysis through direct discourse. The significance level adopted was 5%, and all calculations were performed using the JASP software. The sample consisted of 85 individuals with ASD, the majority being children (84%) and male (82%), with an average age at diagnosis of 4.3 years. A negative correlation was observed between the number of medications used and quality of life, indicating that greater medication use was associated with a lower perception of well-being. Adolescents and young adults reported higher use of polypharmacy compared to children (p = 0.029), with no significant differences between sexes. Caregivers of individuals requiring intensive support reported lower quality of life, particularly in the “school activity” domain. Major challenges highlighted by caregivers included therapist turnover and lack of continuity in care, which can hinder the effectiveness of interventions. These findings underscore the need for more careful management of pharmacological treatment and the implementation of strategies that ensure more structured, accessible, and continuous care.