Mortality Among People With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

@article{corrigan2026mortality,
  title = {{Mortality Among People With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}},
  author = {Lucy Corrigan and Lauren Heywood and Gavin R Stewart and Elizabeth O'Nions and Henry Shelford and Joshua Stott and Amber John},
  journal = {JAMA network open},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.39448},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895743},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Mortality Among People With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AU  - Lucy Corrigan
AU  - Lauren Heywood
AU  - Gavin R Stewart
AU  - Elizabeth O'Nions
AU  - Henry Shelford
AU  - Joshua Stott
AU  - Amber John
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - JAMA network open
DO  - 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.39448
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895743
AB  - Importance  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with adverse life outcomes and increased mortality. Clarifying the magnitude of mortality risks using international data and the potential association between medication and mortality is essential to inform clinical care and motivate public health strategies to address mortality.Objectives  To examine the association between ADHD and all-cause and cause-specific mortality and to assess whether mortality risk differs according to ADHD medication use.Data sources  A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL was conducted from database inception to July 8, 2025.Study selection  Eligible studies included quantitative research across all age groups reporting all-cause and/or cause-specific mortality in individuals with ADHD, defined via diagnostic criteria, self-identification, trait measures, or ADHD polygenic risk scores. Exclusion criteria were nonoriginal research, qualitative studies, non-peer-reviewed publications, and studies not reporting mortality outcomes.Data extraction and synthesis  Data extraction was conducted independently by 2 reviewers. Study quality was assessed by 1 reviewer. Summary data were extracted from published reports, and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using random-effects model meta-analysis.Main outcomes and measures  The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality (suicide, unintentional or intentional injury, and natural causes), measured using HRs with 95% CIs.Results  Nineteen studies including 15 920 970 participants (36.1% female) were included. ADHD was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.31-2.24; P < .001). Significant associations were also observed for suicide (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.21-2.95; P = .005), unintentional or intentional injury (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.22-2.00; P < .001), and natural-cause mortality (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16-1.38; P < .001). ADHD medication use in people with ADHD was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.87; P < .001). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies.Conclusions and relevance  In this systematic review and meta-analysis of ADHD and mortality, ADHD was associated with increased mortality across multiple causes; and ADHD medication was associated with a decreased all-cause mortality risk, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment. However, the heterogeneity observed across studies highlights the need for standardized methods and improved control of confounding factors to better characterize mortality risk among individuals with ADHD.
SN  - 2574-3805
ER  -