People with ADHD at higher mortality risk - but there is also a solution

A new study from UCL and the University of Liverpool found that people with ADHD are at a higher mortality risk, but taking medication may reduce the risk by 25%. The researchers caution that the findings are based on a limited number of observational studies.

A study published in JAMA Network Open, conducted by researchers from UCL and the University of Liverpool, found that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have higher mortality rates. The systematic review and meta-analysis included 19 studies with data on nearly 16 million participants from three continents. The researchers point to factors such as mental health issues, challenges in emotional regulation, impulse control and risk-taking, as well as social exclusion and stigma. A link was also found to mortality from unintentional injuries such as traffic accidents and physical health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, the researchers found that among those taking medication for the disorder, the mortality risk was 25% lower, although this finding was based on only three of the 19 studies. The researchers warn against overinterpreting these results due to the observational nature of the studies.