title: ADHD as a serious risk factor for early smoking and nicotine dependence in adulthood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tobacco smoking and ADHD frequently co-occur. So far, the bulk of research on the ADHD-smoking comorbidity has been done in children with ADHD and nonclinical adult samples. To assess smoking habits in adults with ADHD, the authors used the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 60 adult outpatients, with an ADHD diagnosis according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria and 60 age- and gender-matched controls, smoking habits were assessed with the FTND.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors replicated earlier findings in children confirming a higher rate of smokers in the ADHD group. The adult smokers with ADHD suffered from more severe nicotine dependence and smoked significantly more often when being sick. Females with ADHD smoked significantly more often and started smoking at an earlier age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Applying the FTND, the authors confirmed a high rate of highly dependent smokers among adult ADHD patients. The authors' findings point to a higher vulnerability for the development of nicotine dependence in women with ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Swantje
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthies
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holzner
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feige
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheel
authors.forename: Evgeniy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perlov
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tebartz van Elst
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philipsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult