Risk of Prescription Opioid Exposure in Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND

US studies suggest a positive association between attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the risk of exposure to prescription opioids. However, whether this association holds in Asian countries remains unclear.

METHODS

In total, 91,518 children and adolescents with ADHD and 91,518 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled for the period of 2001 to 2009; they were followed up until the end of 2011 to determine whether they had used prescription opioids.

RESULTS

Children (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.83) and adolescents (HR: 3.44) with ADHD had a higher likelihood of receiving opioid prescriptions than did their matched controls. Furthermore, patients with ADHD had greater likelihoods of cumulative exposure to opioids of >14 (HR: 5.93) and >30 days (HR: 6.07).

DISCUSSION: Owing to the evidence of a significant link between opioid prescription use and eventual abuse, close monitoring for prescription opioid use is necessary for at-risk children and adolescents with ADHD.