Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder that is associated with criminal behavior. Pharmacological treatment is available for ADHD and may reduce the risk of criminality Methods We gathered information on all individuals with a diagnosis of ADHD (N=25,656), their pharmacological treatment, and subsequent criminal convictions in Sweden during 2006 to 2009 using Swedish national registers. We used stratified Cox regression analyses to compare the rate of criminality while on ADHD medication, compared with the rate for the same individual while off medication. Results Compared to non-medication periods, the criminality rate while on medication was significantly decreased by 32% (stratified Cox Regression hazard ratio: 0.68; 95 % confidence interval: 0.63-0.73) for men and 41% (hazard ratio: 0.59; 95 % confidence interval: 0.50-0.70) for women. The rate reduction remained between 17-46% in sensitivity analyses among males, including different exposures (e.g., type of treatment – stimulant and non-stimulant) and outcomes (e.g., type of crime - less severe, violent, and substance-related conviction). Conclusions We found statistically significant associations between ADHD medication and criminality in within-individual comparisons, with lower rates of criminality observed during periods on treatment. These findings raise the possibility that medication treatment reduces the risk of criminality among patients with ADHD.

ObjectiveReports of rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), along with their profound personal and societal burden, emphasize the need of methodologically sound studies to explore their causes and consequences. We here present the design of a large intergenerational resource for ASD research, along with population-based prevalence estimates of ASD and their diagnostic validity.MethodThe Stockholm Youth Cohort is a record-linkage study comprising all individuals aged 0–17 years, ever resident in Stockholm County in 2001–2007 (N = 589,114). ASD cases (N = 5,100) were identified using a multisource approach, involving registers covering all pathways to ASD diagnosis and care, and categorized according to co-morbid intellectual disability. Prospectively recorded information on potential determinants and consequences of ASD were retrieved from national and regional health and administrative registers. Case ascertainment was validated through case-note review, and cross validation with co-existing cases in a national twin study.ResultsThe 2007 year prevalence of ASD in all children and young people was 11.5 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval 11.2–11.8), with a co-morbid intellectual disability recorded in 42.6% (41.0–44.2) of cases. We found 96.0% (92.0–98.4) of reviewed case-notes being consistent with a diagnosis of ASD, and confirmed ASD in 85.2% (66.2–95.8) of affected twins.ConclusionsFindings from this contemporary study accords with recently reported prevalence estimates from Western countries at around 1%, based on valid case ascertainment. The Stockholm Youth Cohort, in light of the availability of extensive information from Sweden's registers, constitutes an important resource for ASD research. On-going work, including collection of biological samples, will enrich the study further.

Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) is a relatively novel treatment format with the potential to increase accessibility of evidence-based care. However, little is known about the feasibility and efficacy of ICBT in children and adolescents. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of ICBT for children and adolescents to provide an overview of the field and assess the efficacy of these interventions. A systematic literature search of six electronic databases was performed to identify ICBT intervention studies for children with a psychiatric condition, such as social anxiety disorder, or a somatic condition, such as chronic pain. Two reviewers independently rated study quality. Twenty-five studies, targeting 11 different disorders, were included in the review. Study quality and presentation of treatment variables, such as therapist time and treatment adherence, varied largely. Twenty-four studies (N=1882) were included in the meta-analysis and ICBT yielded moderate between-group effect sizes when compared with waitlist, g=0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.84]. The results suggest that CBT for psychiatric and somatic conditions in children and adolescents can be successfully adapted to an internet-delivered format.