ADHD Pharmacotherapy and Mortality in Individuals With ADHD

Abstract

ImportanceAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes including premature death, but it is unclear whether ADHD pharmacotherapy influences the mortality risk.ObjectiveTo investigate whether initiation of ADHD pharmacotherapy was associated with reduced mortality risk in individuals with ADHD.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn an observational nationwide cohort study in Sweden applying the target trial emulation framework, we identified individuals aged 6 through 64 years with an incident diagnosis of ADHD from 2007 through 2018 and no ADHD medication dispensation prior to diagnosis. Follow-up started from ADHD diagnosis until death, emigration, 2 years after ADHD diagnosis, or December 31, 2020, whichever came first.ExposuresADHD medication initiation was defined as dispensing of medication within 3 months of diagnosis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresWe assessed all-cause mortality within 2 years of ADHD diagnosis, as well as natural-cause (eg, physical conditions) and unnatural-cause mortality (eg, unintentional injuries, suicide, and accidental poisonings).ResultsOf 148 578 individuals with ADHD (61 356 females [41.3%]), 84 204 (56.7%) initiated ADHD medication. The median age at diagnosis was 17.4 years (IQR, 11.6-29.1 years). The 2-year mortality risk was lower in the initiation treatment strategy group (39.1 per 10 000 individuals) than in the noninitiation treatment strategy group (48.1 per 10 000 individuals), with a risk difference of −8.9 per 10 000 individuals (95% CI, −17.3 to −0.6). ADHD medication initiation was associated with significantly lower rate of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.88) and unnatural-cause mortality (2-year mortality risk, 25.9 per 10 000 individuals vs 33.3 per 10 000 individuals; risk difference, −7.4 per 10 000 individuals; 95% CI, −14.2 to −0.5; HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.86), but not natural-cause mortality (2-year mortality risk, 13.1 per 10 000 individuals vs 14.7 per 10 000 individuals; risk difference, −1.6 per 10 000 individuals; 95% CI, −6.4 to 3.2; HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.05).Conclusions and RelevanceAmong individuals diagnosed with ADHD, medication initiation was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality, particularly for death due to unnatural causes.

ADHD Pharmacotherapy and Mortality

“…To the Editor Dr Li and colleagues report that among individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), medications to treat ADHD might reduce the 2-year mortality rate . This study has several features warranting further explanation.…”

ADHD Pharmacotherapy and Mortality—Reply

“…In Reply We appreciate the comments from Mr Richards-Belle and colleagues and Dr Zarkowski regarding our recently published study . Their comments highlight important considerations in pharmacoepidemiological studies using real-world data.…”

More pandemic reverberations: Focus on stimulants

“…T wo of the articles we are covering in this month's issue of the Update are primarily concerned with stimulant drugs. One, a nationwide cohort study in Sweden, reports that initiation of medication (usually a stimulant) in patients diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with lower all-cause mortality (Li et al, 2024). The other, a provincewide cohort study in Quebec, Canada, finds that, in patients with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders who are receiving an antipsychotic, treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of hospital admission for psychosis (Corbeil et al, 2024).…”