People diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder face a roughly 71% higher overall risk of early death than those without the condition, according to a new review published in JAMA Network Open. The same review found that prescription ADHD medication may lower that risk.
Researchers examined data from 19 observational studies covering nearly 16 million people across three continents, looking at both unnatural causes of death, such as injuries and suicide, and natural causes, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. People with ADHD showed higher mortality across every category studied.
“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 senior author Joshua Stott, professor of aging and clinical psychology at University College London.
The review found an 89% higher risk of death by suicide among people with ADHD and a 55% higher risk of death from intentional or unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle accidents. Deaths from natural causes were 27% more common among people with ADHD, a pattern the researchers linked partly to higher rates of smoking and substance use, along with executive function difficulties that can make it harder to manage chronic illness, keep medical appointments and stick to treatment plans.
One analysis within the review looked specifically at whether medication changed outcomes. Among people with ADHD, those taking prescribed medication for the condition had a 25% lower risk of death from any cause than those who were not medicated, suggesting treatment may blunt some of the behavioral and health risks tied to the disorder.
“ADHD is not by definition a life-limiting condition, as the right support and treatment can help people live long and healthy lives,” Stott said. “Our findings underscore the importance of ensuring that everyone who may have ADHD has access to accurate diagnosis and treatment.”
Caveats researchers flagged
The study’s authors cautioned that all the underlying research was observational, meaning it shows associations rather than proof that ADHD or its treatment directly causes these outcomes. The medication findings came from just three of the 19 studies reviewed, a much smaller evidence base than the overall mortality figures. Results also varied across studies because of differences in diagnostic criteria, healthcare access and tracking methods, and factors like socioeconomic status and co-occurring mental health conditions were not consistently accounted for.
“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,” said first author Lucy Corrigan, a research assistant in the University of Liverpool’s Department of Psychology. “Medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.”
