ADHD meds reduce risk of suicide, substance abuse and criminality, research shows
Medication for ADHD has broader benefits for patients than helping them manage symptoms associated with the condition, researchers have found.
A study of almost 150,000 people children and adults with a new diagnosis of ADHD found drug treatment was associated with a lower risk of suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, transport accidents and criminality.
Reporting their findings in the BMJ, researchers from the University of Southampton said it was the first research to show broader effectiveness of medication for ADHD in this way.
The researchers used data from national registry in Sweden of individuals aged six to 64 years over a 13-year period.
Patients who started medication within three months of diagnosis were compared with those who did not and followed for two years.
Just over half – 56,7% – started drug treatment most commonly methylphenidate.
The only ‘event’ looked at that did not show lower risk in those who opted for drug treatment was accidental injuries.
Overall medication was associated with reductions of first-time incidents of suicidal behaviour by 17%, substance misuse by 15%, criminal behaviour by 13% and transport accidents by 12%.
For recurrent events, drug treatment for ADHD was significantly associated with reduced rates of all five outcomes.
The likelihood was most reduced amongst people exhibiting a recurring pattern of behaviour, such as multiple suicide attempts, numerous drug relapses or repeat offending. the team reported.
Professor Samuele Cortese, an NIHR research professor at the University of Southampton who studies neurodevelopmental disorders said: ‘These benefits might be explained by reductions in impulsivity and improvements in attention and executive functions.
‘For instance, reduced impulsivity might lower criminality by curbing aggressive behaviour, while increased attention might decrease the risk of transport accidents by minimising distractions.’
The team estimate that ADHD affects around 5% of children and 2.5% of adults globally.
Growing demand for diagnosis in the UK has led to lengthy waiting lists, a significant growth in private services as well as medication shortages.
Earlier this year, the NHS’s official taskforce into ADHD recommended general practice takes a greater role in management of the condition, similar to diabetes care.
‘The failure form clinical services to provide timely treatments that reduce these important outcomes represents a major ethical issue that needs to be addressed with urgency, with the crucial input of people with lived experience.
‘In England, the NHS ADHD task force is working hard to tackle this issue,’ Professor Cortese added.
Co-author Dr Zheng Chang, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, added: ‘This finding is consistent with most guidelines that generally recommend stimulants as the first-line treatment, followed by non-stimulants.’
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