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Regional Disparities in Prescription Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Distribution Across the United States
Posted on Thursday June 08, 2023

Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objective:The objectives of this report were to characterize the regional and state differences in prescription methamphetamine and amphetamine distribution in the US.Methods:Prescription methamphetamine and amphetamine distribution was obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration for 2019.Results:Total per capita drug weight distribution of amphetamine was 4,000 times higher than methamphetamine. Regionally, total per capita drug weight for methamphetamine was highest in the West (32.2% of total distribution) and lowest in the Northeast (17.4%). The total per capita drug weight for amphetamine was highest in the South (37.0% of total distribution) and lowest in the Northeast (19.4%). Distribution of methamphetamine was 16.1% while amphetamine was 54.0% of its production quota.Conclusion:Overall, prescription amphetamine distribution was common while prescription methamphetamine distribution was rare. The patterns observed in distribution are likely the result of stigmatization, differences in accessibility, and the efforts of initiatives such as the Montana Meth Project.

The Prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review
Posted on Thursday June 08, 2023

Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objective:ADHD commonly co-occurs with ASD without ID in young people. It has been difficult to obtain accurate prevalence estimates of ADHD in this population, as a dual-diagnosis was not permitted until DSM-V. We systematically reviewed the literature on the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in young people with ASD without ID.Method:9,050 articles were identified through six databases. Articles were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria and 23 studies were included.Results:ADHD symptom prevalence varied from 2.6% to 95.5%. We discuss these findings according to the ADHD assessment measure, informant, diagnostic criteria, risk of bias rating and recruitment pool.Conclusion:ADHD symptoms are common in young people with ASD without ID, but there is substantial variance in study reporting. Future studies should recruit participants from community sources, provide information on key sociodemographic sample characteristics and assess ADHD with standardized diagnostic criteria, using both parent/carer and teacher report.

Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, Comorbidities, and Concomitant Medication in Patients with ADHD in Sweden: A Registry-Based Study (2018–2021)
Posted on Wednesday June 07, 2023

Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objective:To evaluate treatment patterns for ADHD in Sweden.Method:Observational retrospective study of patients with ADHD from the Swedish National Patient Register and Prescribed Drug Register, 2018 to 2021. Cross-sectional analyses included incidence, prevalence, and psychiatric comorbidities. Longitudinal analyses (newly diagnosed patients) included medication, treatment lines, duration, time-to-treatment initiation, and switching.Results:Of 243,790 patients, 84.5% received an ADHD medication. Psychiatric comorbidities were common, particularly autism among children, and depression in adults. Most frequent first-/second-line treatments were methylphenidate (MPH; 81.6%) and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX; 46.0%), respectively. In the second-line, LDX was most frequently prescribed (46.0%), followed by MPH (34.9%), then atomoxetine (7.7%). Median treatment duration was longest for LDX (10.4 months), followed by amphetamine (9.1 months).Conclusion:This nationwide registry study provides real-life insights into the current epidemiology of ADHD and the changing treatment landscape for patients in Sweden.

Remote Administration of ADHD-Sensitive Cognitive Tasks: A Pilot Study
Posted on Saturday June 03, 2023

Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objective:We assessed the feasibility and validity of remote researcher-led administration and self-administration of modified versions of two cognitive tasks sensitive to ADHD, a four-choice reaction time task (Fast task) and a combined Continuous Performance Test/Go No-Go task (CPT/GNG), through a new remote measurement technology system.Method:We compared the cognitive performance measures (mean and variability of reaction times (MRT, RTV), omission errors (OE) and commission errors (CE)) at a remote baseline researcher-led administration and three remote self-administration sessions between participants with and without ADHD (n = 40).Results:The most consistent group differences were found for RTV, MRT and CE at the baseline researcher-led administration and the first self-administration, with 8 of the 10 comparisons statistically significant and all comparisons indicating medium to large effect sizes.Conclusion:Remote administration of cognitive tasks successfully captured the difficulties with response inhibition and regulation of attention, supporting the feasibility and validity of remote assessments.

Risk of Criminal Justice System Interactions in Young Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Findings From a National Birth Cohort
Posted on Wednesday May 31, 2023

Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objective:To examine criminal justice system (CJS) interactions and pathways through the justice system for young adults with ADHD compared to young adults without ADHD.Method:Nationwide 3-year birth cohort study using linked health and CJS data. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to examine associations between ADHD and police proceedings, court charges, court convictions, and incarcerations.Results:Young adults with ADHD were significantly more likely to interact with the CJS including police proceedings (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 95% CI [2.0, 2.2]) court charges (HR, 2.2 95% CI [2.1, 2.3]), court convictions (HR, 2.3 95% CI [2.2, 2.4]), and incarceration (HR, 4.8 95% CI [4.3, 5.4]).Conclusions:Young adults with ADHD are overrepresented at all stages of the CJS. Results highlight the importance of early identification and responsivity to ADHD within the CJS and suggest that the NZ justice system may require changes to both areas to ensure that young individuals with ADHD receive equitable access to, and treatment within, the CJS.