Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can have serious consequences on a person’s health and longevity. However, research this week shows that timely treatment of ADHD could get some of those years back.
Scientists from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom and others reviewed the medical literature on ADHD. They found that ADHD was associated with higher mortality rates, but that people taking ADHD medications were less likely to die prematurely than those who were untreated. Although more research is needed to quantify the benefits of medications and other treatments for ADHD, this study is the latest to illustrate the long-term health impacts of this condition, researchers say.
“These findings reinforce the importance of targeted intervention and access to diagnosis and treatment for people with ADHD across the lifespan,” the authors wrote in their paper published Monday in JAMA Network Open.
The toll of ADHD
ADHD is a complex disorder characterized by symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty staying focused, especially on daily tasks. Although these symptoms may first appear in childhood, many people are not diagnosed until adulthood, if at all.
Studies have consistently shown that people with ADHD may face a higher risk of other health problems, such as insufficient sleep and substance use problems, and that they appear more likely to experience stressful life events, such as prolonged unemployment. In recent years, research has also begun to show that people with ADHD are more likely to die prematurely and have a shorter life expectancy than those without the condition. A study last year calculated that being diagnosed with ADHD was linked to a reduction in life expectancy of 6.78 years for men and 8.64 years for women.
According to the study authors, there is conflicting evidence on the overall mortality benefits of ADHD medications, which include both stimulant and non-stimulant medications. While some studies have shown that these medications may lead to a decrease in suicidal behavior and other risk factors associated with premature death, others have suggested that they may increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers analyzed a total of 19 studies collectively involving more than 15 million people, with and without ADHD. These studies tracked the health outcomes, including death, of participants, some for more than 20 years.
Overall, they found that ADHD was associated with a 70% higher rate of death from any cause than not having ADHD, although the increased risk differed across different causes of death. ADHD was associated with a 90% higher rate of death from suicide, a 55% higher rate of death from injury, and a 27% higher rate of death from natural causes.
Additionally, they found that people with ADHD who took medication had a 25% lower risk of death during the study period than people with ADHD who did not take medication.
What should this mean for people with ADHD?
The researchers caution that this meta-analysis was based on studies that varied considerably in how they were designed and conducted. So while ADHD may likely shorten people’s lifespans, the true magnitude of this effect is not yet necessarily established. Only three of the 19 studies could be used to compare people taking and not taking ADHD medications, they added.
“Our findings provide preliminary evidence to suggest that medications 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,” lead author Lucy Corrigan, a psychologist at Liverpool, said in a university statement. “And medications are only part of the problem: Many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.”
It should also be noted that there is an ongoing debate about the prevalence of ADHD. We know that ADHD can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to lead or other toxins early in life. But rates of diagnosed ADHD differ widely around the world, with rates much higher in the United States than in other countries. Part of this difference could reflect greater awareness of symptoms among doctors and patients, but at least some researchers have argued that social and cultural factors may increase the risk of overdiagnosis. Other researchers, however, strongly oppose this hypothesis.
Regardless, it is clear that ADHD can pose a significant burden for those affected. And proper diagnosis and treatment can be of significant help to those who live with it, researchers say.
Gn Health
