New research published in JAMA Network Open highlights that people diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a 71% higher risk of early death compared to those without the disorder. The study emphasizes the potential protective benefits of prescription ADHD medication, which may lower this overall risk.
The analysis examined data from 19 observational studies involving nearly 16 million individuals across three continents. It sought to understand the long-term effects associated with ADHD.
“We found that people with ADHD face an increased risk not only of death by suicide and injury, but also of deaths by natural causes, adding to evidence that health inequalities faced by people with ADHD are broad and wide-ranging,” said Joshua Stott, a professor at University College London.
The review considered unnatural causes of death, like injuries and suicide, alongside natural causes such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. People with ADHD had elevated mortality rates in all categories.
The study uncovered an 89% increase in the risk of suicide and a 55% higher risk of dying from injuries, including motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, there is a 27% increased risk of death from natural causes for individuals with ADHD.
This heightened risk from natural causes is often linked to long-term health challenges such as smoking and substance use. Difficulties in executive function, which hinder the management of chronic conditions, may also play a role.
For individuals taking prescribed ADHD medications, the study found a 25% reduction in the risk of death from any cause. This suggests that medication may mitigate some of the behavioral effects and health risks linked to ADHD.
Despite these findings, researchers noted some limitations. All included studies were observational, meaning they showed associations rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships. The findings on medication stemmed from only three studies, which included a smaller sample size.
“Our findings provide early evidence to suggest that medication may play an important role in supporting the health of people with ADHD, but this is based on a small number of studies and further research is needed to clarify this link,” stated Lucy Corrigan from the University of Liverpool.
Variations in results occurred across studies due to differences in diagnostic criteria, healthcare access, and tracking methods. Socioeconomic status and other mental health conditions were not controlled for in the data sets.