Undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may be a risk factor for requiring anaesthesia

BackgroundAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of suicidal behaviours through psychiatric comorbidities; however, a significant direct association has not been observed between ADHD and suicide attempts.AimsTo evaluate the risk of suicide attempt in adolescents and young adults with ADHD.MethodUsing a nationwide, population-based insurance claims database, this longitudinal cohort study enrolled 20 574 adolescents and young adults with ADHD and 61 722 age- and gender-matched controls between 2001 and 2009. Any suicide attempt was identified from enrolment to 31 December 2011. The association between ADHD medications and the likelihood of suicide attempt was assessed.ResultsADHD was an independent risk factor for any suicide attempt (hazard ratio = 3.84, 95% CI = 3.19–4.62) and repeated suicide attempts (hazard ratio = 6.52, 95% CI = 4.46–9.53). Subgroup analyses of men, women, adolescents and young adults demonstrated the same trend. Methylphenidate or atomoxetine treatment did not increase the risk of suicide attempt or repeated suicide attempts. Long-term methylphenidate treatment was associated with a significantly decreased risk of repeated suicide attempts in men (hazard ratio = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22–0.97).ConclusionADHD was a risk factor for suicide attempt and a stronger predictor of repeated suicide attempts, independent of comorbidities. Further investigation is warranted to explore the mechanism underlying the association between ADHD and suicidal behaviours.Declaration of interestNone.

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Manipulations and Spins in Attention Disorders Research: The Case of ADHD and COVID-19

Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1891/ehpp-d-20-00024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 98-113

Author(s):

Yaakov Ophir ◽

Yaffa Shir-Raz

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Attention Disorders ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

High Profile ◽

Profile Study

This article raises awareness to manipulations and “spins” that occur in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) research. An in-depth inspection was conducted on a high-profile study that suggested that ADHD is a risk factor for infection with COVID-19 and that stimulants reduce that risk (Merzon et al., 2020b). Two additional studies by the same first author were inspected as well, one that was published in the same journal and one that relied on the same dataset. Seven manipulations and spins were identified, including inappropriate operational definitions, misrepresentations, and omissions that produced bogus results and might have concealed potential adverse effects of medications. These distortions illustrate how biased science can contribute to the ethically problematic phenomena of overdiagnosis and overmedication.

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Non-Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD Across the Lifespan

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.157 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S33-S33

Author(s):

A. Philipsen

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Pharmacological Treatment ◽

Psychosocial Interventions ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Psychosocial Consequences ◽

Phase Iii Studies

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a serious risk factor for co-occurring psychiatric disorders and negative psychosocial consequences over the lifespan. Given this background, there is a need for an effective treatment of ADHD patients.In the lecture, evidence-based psychosocial interventions for ADHD will be presented.Disclosure of interestBooks and articles on ADHD.Ad Boards, Phase-III Studies on ADHD in the last five years.

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