Study: Chronic Fatigue Twice as Likely Among Children with ADHD
August 20, 2024Children with ADHD or autism are twice as likely to experience chronic disabling fatigue by the age of 18, even when controlling for comorbid depression, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Open.
Researchers point to the high levels of inflammation (often resulting from elevated stress levels) found among research subjects as a possible explanation for this association.1While previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of chronic fatigue in patients with ADHD,2 this is the first study to investigate potential mechanisms underlying the association.Data from The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) was analyzed to assess whether children who scored above the threshold for ADHD or autism at ages 7 and 9 had an increased risk of chronic disabling fatigue at age 18.
Mediation analyses were performed to investigate whether an inflammatory marker (IL-6) at age 9 was linked to fatigue and neurodivergence.In fact, it did.
IL-6 levels at age 9 were associated with a higher likelihood of chronic disabling fatigue at age 18. Though the causes of inflammation are myriad, it is often exacerbated by elevated stress levels, common among neurodivergent children.“Research shows that neurodivergent children experience higher levels of loneliness, and are more likely to experience bullying,” the authors of the study explain. “Neurodivergent children are also more vulnerable to experience pain.”In addition to chronic fatigue, adults with ADHD suffer in higher numbers with many different physical conditions.
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