JAMA Author Interviews Does Treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Reduce Mortality?
Mar 12, 2024
Frances R. Levin is a leading expert in ADHD treatment and serves as the Kennedy Levy Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University. In this discussion, she delves into a groundbreaking study showing that ADHD medications can significantly reduce mortality rates, including accidental poisonings. Frances highlights the importance of personalized treatment, addressing concerns around stimulant misuse and cardiovascular risks. The conversation also explores innovative research methods that enhance the understanding of ADHD's impact on behaviors and health outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ADHD Treatment and Mortality
- A study found ADHD pharmacotherapy is associated with reduced mortality.
- This highlights the importance of treating ADHD, a condition often downplayed.
Target Trial Emulation
- Target trial emulation designs a protocol like a randomized trial, specifying criteria and follow-up duration.
- Statistical methods adjust for baseline group differences, improving result validity.
Study Limitations
- The study's observational nature limits causal conclusions about medication's effect on mortality.
- Unmeasured factors like lifestyle and treatment adherence could confound results.