There is an increased mortality among people with autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder compared to the general population, Canadian scientists from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, in collaboration with colleagues from Australia, the United States and Spain, found. The researchers presented their findings in an article in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

They analyzed 27 studies conducted over the past 30 years that included nearly 650,000 people with ASD and ADHD. As it turned out, mortality from all causes among individuals with these disorders was 2.37 and 2.13 times higher than among the rest of the population. Patients with ADHD, in particular, have significantly increased mortality from unnatural causes.

“Understanding the mechanisms of these associations could lead to the development of targeted strategies to prevent avoidable deaths,” the authors say.

The reason for the increased mortality may be the mental and neurological symptoms observed in ASD and ADHD, the researchers say - in particular, people with these disorders are more likely to suffer from depression, conduct disorders, and use psychoactive substances. In children, impulsivity and inattention often lead to injuries and accidents. Additional influence on the increased mortality may have socio-economic factors.

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