Influence of methylphenidate treatment on smoking behavior in adolescent girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity and borderline personality disorders.

Background: Cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence are prevalent among pediatric populations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We assessed the impact of methylphenidate (MPH)treatment on the smoking behavior of adolescent girls with ADHD/borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Method: Twelve female adolescent smokers with ADHD/BPD aged 14to 19 years were treated with MPH for an 8-week period. The severity ofADHD was assessed by the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), whereas the smoking behavior was rated by Fagerstorm Test for Nicotine Dependence(FTND).

Results: Significant improvement was detected in ADHD symptoms(ADHD-RS, mean [SD], baseline vs end point: 33.1 [6.8] vs 19.9 [6.8],t = 6.875, df = 11, P = 0.0001). A decline, as assessed by FTND (baseline vs end point: 4.1 [2.6] vs 2.0 [1.9], t = 4.056, df = 11, P = 0.0019), was observed in the severity of nicotine dependence. No significant correlation was found between changes in the ADHD-RS and the FTND after MPH treatment (r = 0.09935, P = 0.7587).

Conclusions: Methylphenidate may attenuate smoking behavior in female adolescent smokers with ADHD/BPD.