Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Tied to Shorter Life Expectancy
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2025 -- Adults with diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a shorter life expectancy than those without, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Elizabeth O'Nions, Ph.D., from University College London, and colleagues used mortality data to examine the life expectancy deficit experienced by adults with diagnosed ADHD. The analysis included primary care data from roughly 9.56 million people (2000 to 2019).
The researchers found that around 0.32 percent of adults in the cohort had an ADHD diagnosis. In those with ADHD, diagnoses of common physical and mental health conditions were more common than in those without. Compared with the general population, the apparent reduction in life expectancy for adults with diagnosed ADHD was 6.78 years for men and 8.64 years for women.
"Adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should. We believe that this is likely caused by modifiable risk factors and unmet support and treatment needs in terms of both ADHD and co-occurring mental and physical health conditions," the authors write. "This study included data from adults with diagnosed ADHD; the results may not generalize to the entire population of adults with ADHD, the vast majority of whom are undiagnosed."
One author disclosed ties to Jazz Pharma.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted January 2025
Read this next
Parent-Reported Firearm Storage Poor Estimator of Teen Perceived Access
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Parent-reported firearm storage seems to be a poor estimator of teen perceived firearm access, according to a study published online June 10 in JAMA...
CT Colonography Cost-Effective, Clinically Effective for CRC Screening
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is cost-effective and clinically effective for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, according to a study published...
Global Incidence Rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis Increased From 1990 to 2021
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- The incidence rate of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased globally from 1990 to 2021, with the heaviest burden born by regions with a high...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.