Comorbidities and Comedication Among Individuals in Treatment for ADHD: A Danish Nationwide Study
Author(s)
Maria Vestergaard, MSc1, Anne Cathrine Falch-Jørgensen, PhD1, Rikke Færgemann Hansen, MSc1, Andreas Hoiberg Bentsen, PhD1, Per Hove-Thomsen, PhD2.
1Real World Evidence, Signum Life Science, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Børne- og Ungdomspsykiatri, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
1Real World Evidence, Signum Life Science, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Børne- og Ungdomspsykiatri, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of comorbidities and the use of psychiatric comedication among individuals in medical treatment for ADHD, compared to a matched control group from the general population.
METHODS: This nationwide case-control study included 1,082,378 Danish individuals aged 7-64 of whom 98,398 had at least one prescription of ADHD medication during 2023. Data was collected in the period from 2013 to 2023. Cases were matched to controls (1:10) on birth year and sex. Data were obtained through The Danish Health Data Authority. Associations were estimated using logistic regression models.
RESULTS: Somatic and particularly psychiatric comorbidities were more common among individuals in ADHD treatment across all age groups. Among those in ADHD treatment, 46.7% had at least one comorbidity compared to 23.3% among controls. The use of psychiatric comedications was likewise more common among individuals in ADHD treatment (32.7%) compared to controls (7.2%). The association estimates from logistic regression revealed a higher likelihood of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities among those in ADHD treatment in all age groups. Females in ADHD treatment had 3.7-3.9 times higher odds of comorbidities compared to females not in ADHD treatment (OR7-17 years = 3.89, 95% CI: 3.70-4.09; OR18-29 years = 3.82, 95% CI: 3.70-3.94). Similar patterns were observed for males but with slightly lower ORs (OR7-17 years = 2.16, 95% CI: 2.17-2.35; OR18-29 years = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.93-3.14).
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that both prevalence of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities and the use of psychiatric comedication are significantly higher among individuals in ADHD treatment. The highest occurrence is among females aged 7-17 year and 18-29 years. The coexistence of ADHD with other somatic and psychiatric conditions can constitute more complex disease burden, necessitating enhanced disease management strategies to reduce complications and enhance quality of life. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the temporal association of these results.
METHODS: This nationwide case-control study included 1,082,378 Danish individuals aged 7-64 of whom 98,398 had at least one prescription of ADHD medication during 2023. Data was collected in the period from 2013 to 2023. Cases were matched to controls (1:10) on birth year and sex. Data were obtained through The Danish Health Data Authority. Associations were estimated using logistic regression models.
RESULTS: Somatic and particularly psychiatric comorbidities were more common among individuals in ADHD treatment across all age groups. Among those in ADHD treatment, 46.7% had at least one comorbidity compared to 23.3% among controls. The use of psychiatric comedications was likewise more common among individuals in ADHD treatment (32.7%) compared to controls (7.2%). The association estimates from logistic regression revealed a higher likelihood of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities among those in ADHD treatment in all age groups. Females in ADHD treatment had 3.7-3.9 times higher odds of comorbidities compared to females not in ADHD treatment (OR7-17 years = 3.89, 95% CI: 3.70-4.09; OR18-29 years = 3.82, 95% CI: 3.70-3.94). Similar patterns were observed for males but with slightly lower ORs (OR7-17 years = 2.16, 95% CI: 2.17-2.35; OR18-29 years = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.93-3.14).
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that both prevalence of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities and the use of psychiatric comedication are significantly higher among individuals in ADHD treatment. The highest occurrence is among females aged 7-17 year and 18-29 years. The coexistence of ADHD with other somatic and psychiatric conditions can constitute more complex disease burden, necessitating enhanced disease management strategies to reduce complications and enhance quality of life. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the temporal association of these results.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH48
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Mental Health (including addition), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas