The effect of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms on fracture occurrence in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis

Objective: Information and understanding of the relationship between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood and general medical conditions is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and fractures in patients diagnosed with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Method: A total of 100 patients (96 females, 4 males; aged 45-75 years) with a T-score of were included in the study. The ADHD symptoms of the participants were assessed using the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). The number of fractures, presence of systemic disease, and duration of treatment of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Results: A significant difference in the total WURS and attention/irritability subscores was observed between the groups of those with and without a history of fracture. MANCOVA used to control confounding factors of gender, age, bone mineral densitometry values, presence of systemic disease and body mass index, revealed that the WURS irritability, attention, and total scores were significantly higher in the group with a history of fractures. Conclusion: The results of this study of adults indicated that fracture occurrence was associated with attention and irritability symptoms of childhood ADHD. These findings may provide better insight and understanding of the lifelong, negative impact of ADHD on physical health.