Influence of Methylphenidate Treatment on Smoking Behavior... : Clinical Neuropharmacology (original) (raw)

Original Articles

Influence of Methylphenidate Treatment on Smoking Behavior in Adolescent Girls With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Borderline Personality Disorders

From the *Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva; †Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv; and ‡Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Pavel Golubchik, MD, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, Geha Mental Health Center, PO Box 102, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background:

Cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence are prevalent among pediatric populations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We assessed the impact of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment on the smoking behavior of adolescent girls with ADHD/borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Method:

Twelve female adolescent smokers with ADHD/BPD aged 14 to 19 years were treated with MPH for an 8-week period. The severity of ADHD was assessed by the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), whereas the smoking behavior was rated by Fagerstorm Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).

Results:

Significant improvement was detected in ADHD symptoms (ADHD-RS, mean [SD], baseline vs end point: 33.1 [6.8] vs 19.9 [6.8], t = 6.875, df = 11, P = 0.0001). A decline, as assessed by FTND (baseline vs end point: 4.1 [2.6] vs 2.0 [1.9], t = 4.056, df = 11, P = 0.0019), was observed in the severity of nicotine dependence. No significant correlation was found between changes in the ADHD-RS and the FTND after MPH treatment (r = 0.09935, P = 0.7587).

Conclusions:

Methylphenidate may attenuate smoking behavior in female adolescent smokers with ADHD/BPD.