Disorder tied to 70% higher death rate, medication may protect

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder face a markedly elevated chance of dying prematurely, yet appropriate medication appears to reduce that danger, according to a new review in JAMA Network Open. Researchers pooled findings from 19 observational studies encompassing nearly 16 million individuals on three continents, examining long-term outcomes tied to the condition. The analysis weighed both unnatural fatalities — including injuries and suicide — and natural ones stemming from physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In every category, mortality was higher among those with ADHD than among people without the diagnosis. Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, a geriatric medicine and dementia specialist with more than two decades of experience treating patients with Alzheimer's and cognitive decline, observed that individuals with ADHD may struggle more with organization — a factor that could help explain their elevated vulnerability to cognitive impairment.

Specific Risks by Category

The overall risk of early death was approximately 71% higher for people diagnosed with ADHD compared with those without it, the review found. Suicide mortality nearly doubled, reflecting an 89% increase, while death from intentional or unintentional injuries — car crashes among them — rose 55%. Natural-cause mortality was 27% higher. Those natural-cause deaths were frequently connected to long-standing health hazards such as smoking and substance use. Executive function difficulties also play a role, making it harder for people to manage chronic illnesses, keep doctor's appointments and adhere to treatment regimens.

Medication's Protective Role

One part of the analysis tested whether treatment altered mortality. Among individuals with ADHD, those using prescribed medication showed a 25% lower risk of death from any cause than those who were not medicated. That finding implies effective treatment may curb some behavioral effects and health dangers linked to the disorder. "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. "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."