The primary objective of the study was to measure Strattera’s efficacy in treating the symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents with ADHD and a comorbid reading disorder.
After taking Strattera for 16 weeks, both groups of patients reported an improvement of nearly 50% in ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally, patients with ADHD plus a reading disorder displayed an average reading composite improvement of approximately two years compared to 17 months for participants with ADHD alone. Strattera is not approved to treat reading disorders.
“Since ADHD is often combined with reading disabilities, considering treatment options that are effective in treating ADHD without having an adverse effect on reading performance may provide the best outcome,” said Richard Rubin, clinical associate professor of psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine.
The two most common developmental disabilities of school-age children are ADHD and learning disabilities, including a reading disorder like dyslexia. It is estimated that 15-30% of children with ADHD will also have a reading disorder.