People With ADHD Face Higher Death Rates, Study Finds
People with ADHD die at higher rates than people without the condition, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Liverpool and UCL. The same work found some evidence that taking ADHD medication may lower that risk.
The team carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 observational studies. Together they covered data from close to 16 million participants on three continents. Some studies followed participants for more than 20 years. The paper was published in JAMA Network Open.
What the numbers show
People with an ADHD diagnosis had a 70% higher rate of death from any cause. The rate of death by suicide was 90% higher. Deaths from injuries, whether intentional or accidental, were 55% higher, and deaths from natural causes were 27% higher.
The researchers point to evidence that people with ADHD are more likely to have mental health problems and to face difficulties with emotional regulation, impulse control and risk-taking. They also experience more societal exclusion, disadvantage and stigma. Unintentional injury deaths, such as road deaths, may also be linked to differences in attention.
Earlier research by the same authors found higher rates of physical health conditions among people with ADHD, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, diabetes and cancer. Deaths from natural causes may be linked to health risk behaviours such as smoking or alcohol use. People with ADHD may also find it harder to engage with health care and to keep to medical treatment.
Medication
Among people with ADHD, those who took medication appeared to have a 25% lower mortality risk. The researchers caution that this finding rests on only three of the 19 studies.
Senior author Professor Joshua Stott, of UCL Psychology and Language Sciences, said the results add to evidence that the health inequalities faced by people with ADHD are broad and wide-ranging. He said ADHD is not by definition a life-limiting condition, because the right support and treatment can help people live long and healthy lives.
First author Lucy Corrigan, of Psychology at the University of Liverpool, said: "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." She added that medication is only part of the story, and that many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.
Senior author Dr Amber John, Psychology Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, said equitable access to evidence-based assessment and treatment is vital.
The paper is titled "Mortality Among People With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".
Source: University of Liverpool