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 .
Methylphenidate treatment of adult male prison inmates with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial with open-label extension.
BACKGROUND Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is highly prevalent in prison inmates , but pharmacological treatment has not yet been evaluated in this group . AIMS To evaluate osmotic-release oral system ( OROS ) methylpheni date in adult male long-term prison inmates with ADHD . METHOD R and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled 5-week trial , followed by 47-week open-label extension in 30 prison inmates with ADHD and comorbid disorders . Primary outcome was level of ADHD symptoms after 5 weeks , evaluated by a masked assessor . Secondary outcomes were self-reported ADHD symptoms , global severity and global functioning throughout the 52-week trial , and post hoc treatment response and numbers needed to treat ( NNT ) ( trial registration : NCT00482313 . ) RESULTS Treatment significantly improved ADHD during the trial ( P<0.001 ; Cohen 's d = 2.17 ) , with reduced symptom severity and improved global functioning . The placebo  response , cardiovascular measures and adverse events were non-significant ; the NNT was 1.1 . Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms , global severity and global functioning continued to improve during the open-label extension . CONCLUSIONS Osmotic-release oral system methylpheni date is an effective treatment for adult male prison inmates with 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 .