A large observational study drawing on health records from more than 1.9 million people has found a clear association between ADHD and gastrointestinal problems. The analysis, reported by ScienceDaily, shows that individuals with ADHD had substantially higher odds of several digestive conditions compared to those without ADHD.
Specifically, the ADHD group had nearly double the odds of constipation and 58% higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome. The report also indicates elevated risk for other gut-related issues, though the full list of conditions was not detailed in the summary.
Because this is an observational study, it cannot establish cause and effect. The results point to a need for greater awareness of the overlap between mental health and digestive health, but the underlying reasons remain unclear.