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.