People diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a roughly 71% higher overall risk of early death compared to those without the condition, according to a new review published in JAMA Network Open.
uncertain
People → diagnose → Open
However, taking prescription ADHD medication may offer a protective benefit, lowering overall risk of death, the review found.
uncertain
review → take → death
Researchers analyzed data from 19 observational studies involving nearly 16 million people across three continents to evaluate the long-term effects associated with the condition.
asserted
Researchers → analyze → condition
The review considered both unnatural causes of death, such as injuries and suicide, and natural causes, including physical health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
asserted
review → consider → disease
Across all categories, individuals with ADHD experienced elevated mortality rates compared to those without the diagnosis.
asserted
individuals → experience → diagnosis
"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," senior author Joshua Stott, professor of aging and clinical psychology at University College London (UCL), said in a press release.
asserted
inequalities → find → release
The risk of death from suicide was nearly doubled, showing an 89% increase, while the risk of dying from intentional or unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents, was 55% higher, the study found.
asserted
study → double → accidents
The increased risk of death from natural causes was often tied to long-term health risks like smoking and substance use, as well as executive function challenges that can make it harder to manage chronic conditions, attend doctor’s appointments and follow treatment plans.
asserted
it → increase → plans
In one analysis, researchers checked whether medical treatment changed overall mortality rates.
asserted
treatment → check → rates
Among people with ADHD, those taking prescribed ADHD medication had a 25% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those not taking medication, suggesting that effective treatment may lower some of the behavioral effects and health risks associated with the condition.
uncertain
treatment → take → condition
"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.
asserted
Stott → limit → lives
"Our findings underscore the importance of ensuring that everyone who may have ADHD has access to accurate diagnosis and treatment."
uncertain
who → underscore → diagnosis
Despite these findings, the researchers emphasized several key limitations.
asserted
researchers → emphasize → limitations
All included studies were observational, meaning the results show associations rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships.
asserted
results → include → associations
The findings on ADHD medication came from just three of the 19 studies, so those results are still preliminary and based on a much smaller group of people.
asserted
results → come → people
Results also varied widely across individual studies due to differences in diagnostic criteria, healthcare access and tracking methods, while underlying factors such as socioeconomic status and other mental health conditions were not controlled across data sets.
"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," first author Lucy Corrigan, a research assistant in the University of Liverpool’s Department of Psychology, said in the same press release.
uncertain
Corrigan → vary → release
"Medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support."
asserted
people → benefit → treatment
The Aporia
