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

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.

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaakov Ophir ◽  
Yaffa Shir Raz
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Attention Disorders ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Stimulant Medications ◽  
Profile Study

Background: Critics of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) warn against overdiagnosis and overtreatment of millions of children. Objective: The goal of this article is to raise awareness to manipulations and "spins" that might occur in attention disorders research. Method: An in-depth inspection was conducted on a high-profile study that suggested that ADHD increases the risk for infection with COVID-19 and that stimulants reduce that risk1. 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. Results: 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 on COVID-19 outcomes. Without correcting for these distortions, it is therefore not possible to determine that ADHD increases the risk of COVID-19 and that stimulant medications reduce this risk. Conclusions: The manipulations and spins identified in this article may raise awareness to poor methodologies and biases that occur in the field of attention disorders, mainly due to the contaminating influences of the pharmaceutical industry. In turn, these biases may contribute to the ethically problematic phenomena of overdiagnosis and overmedication. Altogether, this article may encourage physicians to apply healthy scientific skepticism and serve scientists who wish to conduct reliable and transparent research on ADHD and its related medications.

scholarly journals Risk of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a nationwide longitudinal study

2018 ◽  
Vol 212 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Lin Huang ◽  
Han-Ting Wei ◽  
Ju-Wei Hsu ◽  
Ya-Mei Bai ◽  
Tung-Ping Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

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.

Non-Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD Across the Lifespan

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.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a risk factor for persistent nocturnal enuresis in children: A two-year follow-up study

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
pp. 1619-1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Baeyens ◽  
Herbert Roeyers ◽  
Isolde Demeyere ◽  
Sylvie Verté ◽  
Piet Hoebeke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Nocturnal Enuresis ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Follow Up Study
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document