The Association between ADHD and the Severity of COVID-19 Infection

Eugene Merzon, Margaret D. Weiss, Samuele Cortese, Ann Rotem, Tzipporah Schneider, Stephanie G. Craig, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Golan Cohen, Ilan Green, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor

2021Journal of Attention Disorders50 citationsDOI

Abstract

Objective: Patients with ADHD are at increased risk of acquiring COVID-19. The present study assessed the possibility that ADHD also increases the risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Method: We assessed 1,870 COVID-19 positive patients, aged 5 to 60 years, registered in the database of Leumit Health Services (LHS, Israel), February to -June 2020, of whom 231 with ADHD. Logistic regression analysis models evaluated the association between ADHD and the dependent variables of being symptomatic/referral to hospitalization, controlling for demographic and medical variables. Results: Age, male sex, and BMI were confirmed to be significant risk factors for increased COVID-19 severity. ADHD was found to be associated with increased severity of COVID-19 symptoms ( OR = 1.81, 95% CI [1.29, 2.52], p < .05) and referral to hospitalization ( OR =1.93, 95% CI [1.06, 3.51], p = .03). Conclusion: ADHD is associated with poorer outcomes in COVID-19 infection.

Topics & Concepts

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Logistic regressionReferralMedicineSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakComorbiditySeverity of illnessIllness severityPsychiatryInternal medicinePediatricsFamily medicineDiseasePathologyOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations