Abstract
Objective
This study examines the effect of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis and stimulant medication for ADHD treatment on child heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in a community sample compared to children without ADHD.
Methods
Data came from the HBEAT Study. From 49 schools, 2013 participants from southern Ontario in grades 5–8 were included. Linear regression analyses examined the effects of ADHD medications on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate adjusting for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).
Results
Compared to non-ADHD children and adjusting for age, sex and BMI, children with ADHD on stimulant medication had a 12.3-bpm higher HR, and 3.0-mmHg higher SBP and DBP (all statistically significant). Children with ADHD on no stimulant medication had no differences in HR and BP compared to those children without a diagnosis of ADHD.
Conclusion
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD are associated with elevated HR and higher BP. While it is unknown whether children on ADHD medications may be at risk for longer-term cardiovascular issues, this study supports the need to examine the long-term consequences of ADHD medication.
Résumé
Objectif
Examiner l’effet du diagnostic de TDAH (trouble déficitaire de l’attention avec hyperactivité) et des médicaments stimulants pour le traitement du TDAH sur la fréquence cardiaque et la pression artérielle des enfants d’un échantillon communautaire comparés aux enfants sans TDAH.
Méthode
Les données proviennent de l’étude HBEAT. Y ont participé 2013 élèves de la 5e à la 8e année fréquentant 49 écoles du Sud de l’Ontario. Par analyse de régression linéaire, nous avons examiné les effets des médicaments pour le traitement du TDAH sur la pression systolique, la pression diastolique et la fréquence cardiaque en apportant des ajustements selon l’âge, le sexe et l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC).
Résultats
Comparativement aux enfants sans TDAH et compte tenu de l’âge, du sexe et de l’IMC, les enfants avec TDAH qui prennent des médicaments stimulants ont une fréquence cardiaque plus élevée de 12,3 PPM et une pression systolique et diastolique plus élevée de 3 mmHg (tous ces résultats sont significatifs). La fréquence cardiaque et la pression artérielle des enfants avec TDAH qui ne prennent pas de médicaments stimulants ne sont pas différentes de celles des enfants sans diagnostic de TDAH.
Conclusion
Les médicaments stimulants pour le traitement du TDAH sont associés à une fréquence cardiaque élevée et à une pression artérielle supérieure. On ne sait pas si les enfants qui prennent des médicaments pour le traitement du TDAH courent des risques de maladies cardiovasculaires à long terme, mais notre étude confirme qu’il faut examiner les conséquences à long terme de la prise de médicaments pour le traitement du TDAH.
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Funding
This study was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (SDA2367).
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The study was approved by both the university and the school district research ethics board. Informed written consent was obtained from the parents and verbal assent was obtained from the children to participate in the study.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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St. Amour, M.D., O’Leary, D.D., Cairney, J. et al. What is the effect of ADHD stimulant medication on heart rate and blood pressure in a community sample of children?. Can J Public Health 109, 395–400 (2018). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0067-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0067-0