Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can exact a heavy toll on people’s health and longevity. Research out this week, however, shows that timely ADHD treatment may claw back some of those years.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool in the UK and others examined the medical literature on ADHD. They found that having ADHD was associated with higher mortality rates, but that people taking ADHD medication were less likely to die early than those who went untreated. Though more research is warranted to quantify the benefits of medications and other treatments for ADHD, this study is the latest to illustrate the long-term health impacts of the condition, the researchers say.
“These results reinforce the importance of targeted intervention and access to diagnosis and treatment for ADHD individuals across the lifespan,” the authors wrote in their paper, published Monday in JAMA Network Open.
The toll of ADHD
ADHD is a complex condition characterized by symptoms like restlessness, impulsiveness, and having trouble staying focused, especially on everyday tasks. Though these symptoms may first appear in childhood, many people are only diagnosed as adults or never diagnosed at all.
Studies have consistently found that people with diagnosed ADHD can face a higher risk of other health issues, such as not getting enough good sleep and substance use problems, and they seem more likely to experience stressful life events like prolonged unemployment. In recent years, research has also started to show people with ADHD are more likely to die early and to have shorter lifespans than those without it. A study last year calculated that diagnosed 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 has been conflicting evidence on the overall mortality benefits of ADHD medication, which includes both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs. While some studies have found that these drugs can drive a decline in suicidal behavior and other associated risk factors for early death, others have suggested they might raise the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers analyzed a total of 19 studies that collectively involved over 15 million, with and without ADHD. These studies tracked the health outcomes, including death, of participants, some for more than 20 years.
All in all, they found that ADHD was associated with a 70% higher rate of dying from any cause than not having it, though the increase in risk differed between different causes of death. ADHD was linked to a 90% higher rate of dying from suicide, a 55% higher rate of dying from injuries, and a 27% higher rate of dying from natural causes.
Moreover, they found that people with ADHD who were on medication had a 25% lower risk of dying during the study period than people with ADHD not taking medication.
What should this mean for people with ADHD?
The researchers caution that this meta-analysis relied on studies that varied significantly in how they were designed and carried out. So while ADHD probably can shorten people’s lifespans, the true magnitude of that effect isn’t necessarily established yet. Only three of the 19 studies could be used to compare people taking and not taking ADHD medication, they added.
“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,” lead author Lucy Corrigan, a psychologist at Liverpool, said in a statement from the university. “And medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.”
It’s also worth noting that there is an ongoing debate about the prevalence of ADHD. We know that ADHD can be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to lead or other toxins early on in life. But rates of diagnosed ADHD differ widely across the world, with much higher rates in the U.S. than other countries. Some of this difference might reflect a greater awareness of symptoms among doctors and patients, yet at least some researchers have argued that social and cultural factors can raise the risk of overdiagnosis. Other researchers, however, strongly oppose this hypothesis.
Whatever the case, it’s clear that ADHD can be a significant burden on people. And proper diagnosis and treatment can be a significant help to those who are living with it, the researchers say.
