Autism and ADHD link to higher risk of early death

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-02-15 03:00

International

People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may be at higher risk of dying earlier than the general population, according to an analysis of multiple previous studies. When the researchers looked at the causes of death they found that both autism and ADHD were linked to a higher risk of death from unnatural causes such as injury and poisoning, but only people with autism had an increased risk of dying from natural causes.

Media release

From: JAMA

Investigating Mortality Risk in Those With Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD

JAMA Pediatrics

What The Study Did: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies found that autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) were associated with increased risk of mortality, and understanding the underlying reasons for these associations may lead to targeted strategies to prevent avoidable deaths.

Authors: Ferrán Catalá-López, Ph.D., of the Institute of Health Carlos III in Madrid, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6401)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Institute of Health Carlos III, Spain

Funder: This study was supported by the Institute of Health Carlos III and Generalitat Valenciana. Drs Catalá-López and Tabarés-Seisdedos received funding from the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Institute of Health Carlos III, and Generalitat Valencia. Dr Page received support from an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Dr Hutton received support from a new investigator award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network. Dr Ridao received support from the Spanish Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network and Institute of Health Carlos III.

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