Amfetamine for ADHD in people with intellectual disabilities

Thomson A, Maltezos S, Paliokosta E, Xenitidis K

Published Online:

May 12, 2010

Some people with intellectual disability (ID; also known as mental retardation) may also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most of the research into treatment of ADHD with amfetamine has been performed in people who do not have ID. The objective of this review was to assess whether amfetamine is effective in treating ADHD in people who also have an intellectual disability. We found only one study, which examined this question in a small group of participants. This did not find an effect, but we do not think this is enough evidence to draw conclusions about whether or not amfetamine is effective. More research in this area is urgently needed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognised as occurring in people with intellectual disability (ID), although treatment of ADHD in this population has not been tested widely. Amfetamine has been used to treat ADHD in people with and without ID, although the evidence for its efficacy in people with ID is unclear.

Objectives:

To examine the effectiveness of amfetamine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in people with intellectual disabilities.

Search strategy:

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, AMED, ISI Web of Science and WorldCat Dissertations were searched using an extensive list of synonyms for ADHD and ID. CENTRAL, Current Controlled Trials meta-register (mRCT), CenterWatch, NHS National Research Register, clinicaltrials.gov were searched in August 2007. Pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field were contacted. Reference lists of review articles were examined and citation searches were performed in ISI Web of Knowledge.

Selection criteria:

All randomised controlled studies, both published and unpublished, in any language, in which children or adults with ADHD and ID were treated with amfetamine.

Data collection and analysis:

Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standardised extraction sheet. Risk of bias was assessed by two authors using a standardised framework. Meta-analyses were planned but were not performed due to a lack of suitable studies.

Main results:

Only one study was suitable for inclusion. This was a cross-over study in 15 children with ADHD, ID and Fragile X syndrome. Duration of treatment was only one week. No significant difference was reported between amfetamine and placebo for any of the ADHD measures, but significantly more side effects were reported while taking amfetamine, mainly mood lability and irritability.

Authors' conclusions:

There is very little evidence for the effectiveness of amfetamine for ADHD in people with ID . Prescribing in this population is based on extrapolation of research in people without ID. More research into effectiveness and tolerability is urgently needed.

This record should be cited as:

Thomson A, Maltezos S, Paliokosta E, Xenitidis K. Amfetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in people with intellectual disabilities. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007009. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007009.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

August 10, 2007

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Primary Review Group:

Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group

Health topics:

Developmental, psychosocial, and learning problems > Psychosocial problems > Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Amfetamine for ADHD in people with intellectual disabilities

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