ADHD symptoms may be associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders

1. In this prospective study, ADHD symptoms were associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders, which may be related to reduced education attainment, lifestyle factors, and psychiatric comorbidities. 

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that most often manifests in childhood and persists into adulthood. Little is known about whether physical health problems are associated with ADHD. Researchers aimed to assess the association between ADHD and the development of cardiometabolic disorders.10,394 adults from the Swedish Twin Registry were included in this prospective cohort study. Participants were born between 1958 and 1985 and had no previously diagnosed cardiometabolic disease. The subjects completed self-assessment questionnaires for assessment of ADHD symptoms between 2005 and 2006 and were then followed until the end of 2018. Every unit increase in the ADHD symptom score was associated with a 2% increased rate of cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03) and a 3% increase in the rate of metabolic disorders (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05). Interestingly, the associations were no longer significant after adjusting for educational attainment, lifestyle factors, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. A limitation of this study is that the researchers did not assess whether individuals were treated with medication for ADHD, which is a potentially confounding variable. Overall, this study demonstrates that ADHD symptoms are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders, which may be in part due to reduced educational attainment, lifestyle factors, and psychiatric comorbidities. 

Click to read the study in BMC Medicine

Image: PD

©2023 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.