The impacts associated with having ADHD: an umbrella review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects up to 5% of the population, characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
• ADHD symptoms lead to significant impairments and increased risks in mental health, physical health, and societal outcomes.
• The breadth of evidence on adverse outcomes makes synthesizing these risks challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an umbrella review to identify and synthesize risks associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the adverse mental health, physical health, and social/lifestyle outcomes linked to ADHD.

Main Methods:

• An umbrella review methodology was employed, searching five databases for systematic, meta-analysis, and narrative reviews.
• A narrative synthesis was conducted on the findings of the included reviews.
• A quality assessment of the included publications was performed.

Main Results:

• 16,675 records were identified, with 125 reviews meeting the inclusion criteria.
• A narrative synthesis revealed three key domains of risks associated with ADHD: mental health, physical health, and social/lifestyle.
• The majority of included reviews were assessed as being of good or moderate quality.

Conclusions:

• This umbrella review underscores the wide-ranging risks associated with ADHD, extending beyond its core symptom domains.
• The findings highlight the profound impact of ADHD on an individual's daily functioning and overall well-being.
• This synthesis provides valuable insights for understanding and addressing the multifaceted adverse outcomes of ADHD.