"A team led by Josh Stott at University College London used primary-care data to confirm that people with ADHD do indeed, on average, lead shorter lives than people without ADHD. The researchers compared records from 2000 to 2019 for about 30,000 adults (aged 18 or older) with ADHD diagnoses and 300,000 adults without one. They calculated an average reduction in life expectancy of 6.8 years for men diagnosed with ADHD and 8.6 years for women."
"This is the first study to use mortality data to calculate the number of years of life lost as the result of ADHD. The researchers say that this reduced longevity is mainly due to modifiable risk factors, such as alcohol use and smoking, as well as insufficient support and treatment, both in terms of ADHD directly and any co-occurring physical and mental health conditions."
Primary-care records from 2000 to 2019 for about 30,000 adults with ADHD diagnoses and 300,000 adults without diagnoses show average reductions in life expectancy of 6.8 years for men and 8.6 years for women with ADHD. Adults with ADHD also experience poorer education and employment outcomes, worse physical and mental health, and higher premature mortality linked to alcohol and substance use, suicidal behaviours, and overall worse health. The reduced longevity appears mainly attributable to modifiable risk factors and insufficient support and treatment for ADHD and co-occurring conditions. Results may not generalize to undiagnosed adults, who are common. Evidence indicates ADHD symptoms often fluctuate across the lifespan rather than simply remit or persist.
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