People who display attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in childhood are more likely to develop physical health problems and health-related disabilities by midlife, according to a large-scale longitudinal study led by researchers at University College London (UCL).
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study followed participants from birth to age 46 using data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, which tracks individuals born in England, Scotland, and Wales during a single week in 1970. Researchers analyzed data from 10,930 participants who had complete information on ADHD traits and health outcomes.
The findings showed that higher levels of ADHD traits at age 10 were associated with a greater number of physical health conditions by midlife, as well as a 14 per cent increase in the likelihood of physical multimorbidity, defined as having two or more chronic conditions. These conditions included migraine, back problems, cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes.
Among participants who were likely to have had ADHD in childhood, whether formally diagnosed or not, 42.1 per cent had two or more physical health conditions by age 46, compared with 37.5 per cent of those without ADHD traits.
Senior author Professor Joshua Stott of UCL said the findings add to growing evidence that people with ADHD face poorer health outcomes across their lifespan. He noted that ADHD often remains underdiagnosed, particularly in midlife and older adults, leaving many without appropriate support.
Researchers found that factors such as smoking, higher body mass index, and psychological distress partially explained the link between childhood ADHD traits and later physical health problems, though the association remained even after accounting for these risks.
The study highlights the importance of early identification and long-term health monitoring for people with ADHD, with researchers calling for proactive screening and interventions to reduce future health risks.
