Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent traits of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, that lead to significant problems in daily activities. 2.8% of adults are diagnosed with ADHD after childhood. ADHD traits in the UK did not receive proper diagnosis and support. Individuals with ADHD are at high risk of academic failure and job insecurity. They are also more susceptible to substance use disorders, sleep disturbances, physical, and mental health challenges, cardiovascular diseases, and suicidal thoughts.
While limited research exists on life expectancy, few of them suggest that adults with ADHD have a mortality rate twice when compared to the general population. This study evaluated the reduction in life expectancy among individuals with ADHD using UK mortality records from 2000 to 2019. This study conducted a matched retrospective cohort study design for their analysis and data were obtained from UK electronic primary care health records through IQVIA medical research data (IMRD) using the health improvement network (THIN) database.
The IMRD includes an anonymized database of 794 UK-based primary care practices with data coverage reaching approximately 10%. The study obtained authorization from IQVIA World Publications Scientific Review Committee in March 2022 under reference 22SRC012. Participant groups were identified using ADHD diagnosis codes and earlier classifications like hyperkinetic disorder ensuring specific ADHD diagnostic criteria and data integrity standards.
NHS death records analyzed all-cause mortality as the primary outcome. Poisson regression evaluated mortality rates, while period life tables estimated the lifespan expectation for individuals at age 18. This was done by using Stata 16 and R version 4.2.2.
The electronic health records of 9,561,450 patients contained a recorded ADHD diagnosis for 30,529 patients, who constituted 0.32%. The recorded prevalence matches 1 in 300 individuals compared to the estimated 2.8% from surveys. An analysis of 30,039 individuals diagnosed with ADHD (23,377 males and 6,662 females) and 300,390 comparison participants (233,770 males and 66,620 females) were included.
Out of 23,377 individuals with ADHD in the follow-up period, 193 died with a rate of 0.83%, and 1,219 deaths from 233,770 control participants with a rate of 0.52%. ADHD resulted in deaths in 148 of the 6,662 ADHD females, which translated to a mortality rate of 2.22%, the comparison female cohort lost 902 subjects from 66,620 with a mortality rate of 1.35%. The death risk was 2.13 times greater for females with ADHD (95% CI: 1.79–2.53) and 1.89 times higher for males with ADHD (95% CI: 1.62–2.19) with ADHD.
Life expectancy for adult males reached 73.26 years representing a 6.78-year difference from the typical male life span of 80.03 years. Researchers found that females with ADHD lived until age 75.15 while the relationship females group reached the age 83.79.
This study demonstrated a severe disparity because UK health systems lack adequate ADHD specialty services. The resolution of unmet needs and improved healthcare access for physical and mental issues together with educational initiatives need immediate implementation to reduce avoidable outcomes.
This research employed patients from matched practices who shared the same general practices to reduce bias from practice-related or geographic factors. Strong limitations emerged as the cause-of-death information was missing samples containing small numbers of ADHD-radiated cases and the young participant’s age group resulted in low death rates. The estimation showed a decline in life expectancy and inaccurately high because participant exposure measurements are incorrect.
References: O’Nions E, El Baou C, John A, et al. Life expectancy and years of life lost for adults with diagnosed ADHD in the UK: matched cohort study. Br J Psychiatry. 2025:1-8. doi:10.1192/bjp.2024.199
