[Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with comorbid addictive disorder. Therapeutic challenges using the example of a survey of clinical practice]. / ADHS im Erwachsenenalter und komorbide Suchterkrankungen : Therapeutische Herausforderungen am Beispiel einer Praxiserhebung.

BACKGROUND: ADHD in childhood and adolescence is characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness; these symptoms may persist into adulthood or may manifest as restlessness, emotional instability, and disorganized behavior. In adults ADHD often occurs with increased substance use and is associated with an early onset of substance use, development of severe addiction, and decreased treatment effectiveness. METHOD: This overview will present and critically discuss current study results and evidence-based and consensus-oriented recommendations that ensure the most adequate care for patients with ADHD and addictive disorder. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: For drug therapy, the current S3 guideline recommends methylphenidate, amphetamine salts, and atomoxetine, among others. Treatment of adult patients with ADHD and addiction with stimulants tends to be viewed critically; if required, long-acting medications should be used. Integrated treatment of ADHD and addiction, consisting of a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, is recommended.

High Concomitant Misuse of Fentanyl in Subjects on Opioid Maintenance Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant opioid misuse is an increasing problem in opioid maintenance treatment as it interferes with treatment success. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the rates of concomitant fentanyl misuse in opioid maintained patients were investigated. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study which consisted in collecting data via urine samples and questionnaires in Germany. Urine samples of patients on opioid maintenance treatment were gathered and fentanyl concentrations were measured from 2008 to 2012. An anonymous questionnaire provided data on the consumption of fentanyl as concomitant drug. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and group differences were calculated using the Chi-Square test. RESULTS: Among the total sample (urine probes of 960 patients), 6.8% opioid maintained patients had positive urine samples for fentanyl and 37.9% reported concomitant fentanyl misuse (401 of these patients filled out the questionnaire). A significant age-related association of concomitant fentanyl misuse was identified in the urine analyses (χ2 = 7.489; p = .024) and also in the questionnaire data (χ2 = 11.899, p = .003), indicating that young age increased the probability of fentanyl consumption. Patients receiving methadone had the highest rates of concomitant fentanyl misuse with 18.4% according to urine analysis. In addition, the results show that patients who are on diamorphine are significantly less likely to misuse fentanyl. CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl is a frequently used concomitant drug. Especially young patients and patients taking methadone are at high risk. Because of the life-threatening consequences of fentanyl overdose, patients taking fentanyl should be intensively medically surveilled.

[Burden of disease and level of patient's medical care in substitution treatment for opiates]. / Krankheitslast und Versorgungsniveau bei opioidsubstituierten Patienten.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Within the framework of an interdisciplinary cooperation, the authors set up an on-site medical service provider in a specialized methadone substitution center in Germany. Here, they report on the prevalence of infectious and noninfectious diseases, and the vaccination status of substituted heroin-dependent patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who visited the medical care service provider between February 2008 and December 2008 were included in this study. RESULTS: Ten patients (7%) were seropositive for the hepatitis A virus. Two patients (1.3%) suffered from chronic hepatitis B; 40 patients (27%) were cured after a hepatitis B infection. Additionally, 99 patients (68%) were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 41 patients (28%) had active hepatitis C. Furthermore, 48 hepatitis C patients (33%) were cured. Of those, 25 patients (17%) cleared the virus spontaneously and 23 (16%) after ribavirin/interferon combination therapy. Ten (7%) of 146 patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of those, four patients had active hepatitis C, and five patients were cured after a hepatitis C infection. 18 patients (12%) were vaccinated against hepatitis A and 28 (19%) against hepatitis B. Two of the 41 patients with chronic hepatitis C were vaccinated against hepatitis A. The most frequent noninfectious diagnoses were arterial hypertension (n = 28), bronchial asthma (n = 8), and diffuse liver parenchymal damage (n = 12). CONCLUSION: These results emphasize that i.v. drug users on substitution therapy are an underserved collective with a high prevalence of disease. The challenge consists in facilitating this population access to internistic and infectious disease service. The offer of an on-site medical service was well accepted. This is essential for an ongoing reduction of HIV and HCV prevalence in the drug users.