Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can take a heavy toll on people’s health and longevity. Research out this week, however, shows that timely ADHD treatment can return some of those years.
Scientists from the University of Liverpool in Great Britain and others have examined the medical literature on ADHD. They found that ADHD is associated with higher mortality rates, but that people who take ADHD medication are less likely to die early than those who go untreated. Although more research is warranted to quantify the benefits of medication and other treatments for ADHD, this study is the latest to illustrate the long-term health effects of the condition, 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 number of ADHD
ADHD is a complex condition characterized by symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty focusing, especially on everyday tasks. Although these symptoms first appear in childhood, many people are only diagnosed as adults or never diagnosed at all.
Studies have consistently found that people diagnosed with ADHD face a higher risk of other health problems, such as not getting enough good sleep and substance use problems, and they seem 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 early and have shorter lifespans than those without it. A study last year calculated that diagnosed ADHD was associated with a reduction in life expectancy of 6.78 years for men and 8.64 years for women.
According to the study’s authors, there was conflicting evidence about the overall mortality benefits of ADHD medications, which included both stimulant and non-stimulant medications. While some studies have found that these drugs can lead to a decline in suicidal behavior and other related risk factors for early death, others have suggested that they increase 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 the participants, some for more than 20 years.
Overall, they found that ADHD was associated with a 70% higher rate of dying from any cause than not having it, although the increased risk differed between different causes of death. ADHD was associated with 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.
In addition, they found that people with ADHD who took medication had a 25% lower risk of dying 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 relied on studies that varied significantly in how they were designed and conducted. So while ADHD can potentially shorten people’s lifespans, the true magnitude of that effect has not yet been necessarily established. 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 plays 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,” said lead author Lucy Corrigan, a psychologist in Liverpool, 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 is also worth noting that there is a long 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 in life. But the rates of diagnosed ADHD differ widely around the world, with much higher rates in the United States than in other countries. Some of this difference could reflect a greater awareness of symptoms among doctors and patients, but at least some researchers have argued that social and cultural factors increase 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 living with it, researchers say.