Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Adverse Health Outcomes in Adults

Abstract

Whereas the adverse impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on emotional and psychosocial well-being has been well investigated, its impact on physical health has not. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of ADHD on lifestyle behaviors and measures of adverse health risk indicators. Subjects were 100 untreated adults with ADHD and 100 adults without ADHD of similar age and sex. Unhealthy lifestyle indicators included assessments of bad health habits, frequency of visits to healthcare providers, and follow through with recommended prophylactic tests. Assessments of adverse health risk indicators included measurements of cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. No differences were identified in health habits between subjects with and without ADHD, but robust differences were found in a wide range of adverse health risk indicators. ADHD is associated with an adverse impact in health risk indicators well known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality.

ADHD in old age: a review of the literature and proposal for assessment and treatment

“…Furthermore, the disorder leads to increased societal costs due to higher risks of accidents, early deaths, underachievements in school or work, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, self harms, suicide attempts, more chronic health conditions, addictions, and criminalities, and likewise from increased societal costs made by family members of adults with ADHD [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung über die Lebensspanne

“…Lebensjahr. Im Erwachsenenalter zeigt sich eine ähnlich hohe Komorbiditätsrate von bis zu 75% [Kessler et al, 2006;Kooij et al, 2010;Sobanski und Alm, 2004], insbesondere an Achse-I-(affektive Störungen, Angststörungen, Substanzmissbrauch, Essstörungen, somatoforme Störungen, Anpassungsstörungen [Cumyn et al, 2007]), aber auch Achse-II-(zwanghafte, antisoziale und Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörungen [Cumyn et al, 2007;Edvinsson et al, 2013;Van Emmerik-van Oortmerssen et al, 2014]) und somatischen Störungen [Spencer et al, 2014].…”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Prevalence and Correlates Pre- and Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

“…A Danish registry-based investigation showed substantially increased mortality in adult life in individuals with ADHD compared with individuals without the disorder [4]. ADHD is associated with an adverse impact in health risk indicators well known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality [5]. …”