title: Psychopharmacological treatment of ADHD in adults aged 50+: an empirical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study pharmacotherapy in adults aged 50+ with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was administered to adults with ADHD (≥ 50 years old). Participants on medication for ADHD were compared with those not on medications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of participants was 55.8 years, and mean age when diagnosed with ADHD was 50.3 years. Ninety-five participants (63.8%) reported current psychopharmacological treatment for ADHD, 36 (24.2%) had stopped psychopharmacological treatment, and 18 (12.0%) were psychopharmacological treatment naive for ADHD. Those currently being treated psychopharmacologically for ADHD reported significantly improved attention relative to the two nonmedicated groups (p < .01). Among examined sample characteristics (including current psychopharmacological treatment for ADHD), employment was associated with a better outcome (odds ratio = 3.3, p = .006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of adults aged 50+ with ADHD reported regular pharmacotherapy for ADHD. Participants currently receiving psychopharmacological treatment for ADHD reported better attention than those not receiving pharmacotherapy. Employment was associated with more favorable outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Oslo University Hospital, Norway miclen@ous-hf.no.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lensing
authors.affiliation: Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zeiner
authors.affiliation: Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: Leiv
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandvik
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Stein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Opjordsmoen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: ADHD; ASRS screener; Satisfaction With Life Scale; adults aged 50+; pharmacotherapy; stimulant medication