Adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a lower life expectancy than others, according to a new study.
- Research shows that adults diagnosed with ADHD live shorter lives than others.
- The reduction in life expectancy for men diagnosed with ADHD is between 4.5 and 9 years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.
- However, researchers acknowledge that this reduction in life expectancy may be overestimated because ADHD often goes undiagnosed.
“People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment,” notes Professor Josh Stott of University College London. “However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful events and being socially excluded, which has a negative impact on their health and self-esteem. And this could well also have an effect on their life expectancy, according to the latest research by the British scientist.
This work, published in the journal British Journal of Psychiatry, show that adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk of living shorter lives than they should.
ADHD: lower life expectancy in adults
To see the impact of an ADHD diagnosis on adult health, researchers analyzed the records of 30,029 patients affected by this disorder. They then compared them to data collected from 300,390 participants without ADHD.
These analyzes revealed an apparent reduction in life expectancy for people suffering from the disorder. On average, men with diagnosed ADHD lived between 4.5 and 9 years less than those without. For women, their longevity was reduced by 6.5 to 11 years.
“It is deeply concerning that some adults diagnosed with ADHD are living shorter lives than they should“confides Professor Josh Stott in a press release.
ADHD and life expectancy: beware of the limits of the study
“Although many people with ADHD live long and healthy lives, our finding that on average they live less than they should indicates that support needs are not being met. It is essential that we “Let’s find out the reasons for premature deaths so that we can develop strategies to prevent them in the future.”notes lead author Dr Liz O’Nions.
However, the scientist and her colleagues call for taking their results with caution. “Because ADHD often goes undiagnosed – particularly in adults – the new research may overestimate the reduction in life expectancy experienced on average by people with ADHD.”
“Only a small percentage of adults with ADHD have been diagnosed, meaning this study only covers a segment of the entire community”explains the researcher. “Those diagnosed may have more health problems than the standard person with ADHD. Therefore, our research may overestimate the life expectancy gap for people with ADHD in general, although further research in the community is needed to test whether this is the case“
