Latest research on adult ADHD for physicians

Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication found an estimated prevalence of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder of 4.4%, according to findings published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2006. Researchers noted that the estimate is likely conservative, in part because of more subtle symptoms in adults compared with children.

Healio.com/Internal Medicine presents the latest research on adult ADHD that physicians should know, including onset of the disorder, risk factors and therapy outcomes.

Adult women with ADHD more likely to die prematurely from accidents

Women with ADHD have a significantly greater risk for accidental, premature death, according to data published in the Lancet Psychiatry. Read more.

Adults with ADHD may not have had onset of disorder in childhood

ADHD disorder may not originate in childhood and may have a distinct etiology than the childhood disorder, according to recent findings. Read more.

Traumatic brain injury increases risk for ADHD in adults

Adults who sustained a traumatic brain injury were significantly more likely to screen for or be diagnosed with ADHD during their lifetime, according to study findings in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. Read more.

Brain abnormalities may persist into young adulthood among adolescents with ADHD

Young adults diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence exhibited structural and functional deficits associated with abnormal working memory function, suggesting changes in the brain may persist into adulthood despite clinical improvement. Read more.

VIDEO: Expert offers advice for identifying patients with lifelong ADHD

Timothy Wilens , MD, chief, division of child and adolescent psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, addresses how to feel more comfortable identifying and diagnosing ADHD in adults, and some of the best long-term treatment strategies for adult patients. Watch here.

Meta-analysis shows significant association between ADHD, obesity in children, adults

Results from a meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicated a significant association between obesity and ADHD among children and adults. Read more.

Methylphenidate improved outcomes of group psychotherapy, individual counseling for adult ADHD

Among adults with ADHD, cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy did not outperform individual clinical management, however, the addition of methylphenidate improved outcomes of psychological interventions. Read more.