Review of studies of ADHD: Long-term outcomes with and without treatment | European Psychiatry | Cambridge Core (original) (raw)

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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 April 2020

H. Caci

Affiliation:

Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice, Nice, France

P. Hodgkins

Affiliation:

Shire Development Inc., Wayne, PA, USA

J. Kahle

Affiliation:

BPS International, San Diego, CA, USA

N. Callamaras

Affiliation:

BPS International, San Diego, CA, USA

A. Woods

Affiliation:

Shire Development Inc., Wayne, PA, USA

Article contents

Abstract

Abstract

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Introduction

As awareness of ADHD has increased worldwide, interest has grown beyond the constellation of ADHD symptoms, to include long-term impact on people's lives and society in general.

Objectives

Examine the results of studies of long-term life consequences of ADHD.

Aims

To identify areas of life affected long-term by ADHD and differences in outcomes with and without ADHD treatment.

Methods

Following Cochrane guidelines, 12 databases were searched for studies published in English (1980–2010). Limiting criteria maximized study inclusion while maintaining high study rigor: (1) peer-reviewed, (2) primary study reports, (3) including a comparator condition, and (4) reporting long-term outcomes (mean 8 years, range 6 months-40 years from study start for prospective studies; subjects in adolescence or adulthood for retrospective or cross-sectional studies). The fully-defined electronic search yielded 4615 citations. Manual review based on titles and abstracts yielded 340 studies included in this analysis of outcomes.

Results

The majority of studies (86%, 243 of 281; studies of untreated ADHD only) showed that untreated ADHD has substantial negative long-term outcomes, encompassing nine broad-ranging areas of life: non-medicinal drug use/addictive behaviour, antisocial behaviour, academic achievement, occupational achievement, public services use, self-esteem, social function, obesity, and driving outcomes. In contrast, most studies including ADHD pharmacotherapy and/or non-pharmacotherapy (94%, 46 of 49) showed that compared with baseline or untreated ADHD, long-term outcomes improved or stabilized with treatment of ADHD.

Conclusions

ADHD has notable negative long-term consequences, and this negative impact may be reduced with treatment of ADHD. Supported by Shire Development Inc.

Type

P01-575