These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .
Patterns and Predictors of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Persistence into Adulthood: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication
BACKGROUND Despite growing interest in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) , little is known about predictors of persistence of childhood cases into adulthood . METHODS A retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD , childhood risk factors , and a screen for adult ADHD were included in a sample of 3197 18 - 44 year old respondents in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication ( NCS-R ) .  Blinded adult ADHD clinical re appraisal interviews were administered to a sub- sample of respondents . Multiple imputation ( MI ) was used to estimate adult persistence of childhood ADHD . Logistic regression was used to study retrospectively reported childhood predictors of persistence . Potential predictors included socio-demographics , childhood ADHD severity , childhood adversity , traumatic life experiences , and comorbid DSM-IV child-adolescent disorders ( anxiety , mood , impulse-control , and substance disorders ) . RESULTS Blinded clinical interviews classified 36.3 % of respondents with retrospectively assessed childhood ADHD as meeting DSM-IV criteria for current ADHD . Childhood ADHD severity and childhood treatment significantly predicted persistence . Controlling for severity and excluding treatment , none of the other variables significantly predicted persistence even though they were significantly associated with childhood ADHD . CONCLUSIONS No modifiable risk factors were found for adult persistence of ADHD . Further research , ideally based on prospect i ve general population sample s , is needed to search for modifiable determinants of adult persistence of ADHD
These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .