While not much related to pediatric gastroenterology, I nevertheless found an article on the relationship between medication adherence for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and criminality to be provocative (NEJM 2012; 2006-14).

In this Swedish study with 25,656 patients, there was a significant reduction in the crime rate during periods of receiving the medication compared with nonmedication periods: 32% reduction for men and 41% for women.

Approximately 50% of the patients were between ages 15-24, 30% between 25-39, and the remainder >40 years.  Overall, 37% of the men had been convicted of any crime and 15% of the women.

To avoid possible bias from reverse causation, the investigators looked at whether the order of the change in medication status was important.  The criminality associations were significant regardless of the order, suggesting that this type of bias was unlikely.  The authors state that “it is possible that pharmacologic ADHD treatment helps patients to better organize their lives,” thereby decreasing their likelihood of crime.

There are many other concerns raised regarding ADHD medications, including adverse effects (eg. cardiovascular), overprescription, and side effects.  However, this inverse association with criminality should be added to other potential benefits.