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

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.

Automated summary

Age, male sex, and BMI were significant risk factors for increased COVID-19 severity, while ADHD was associated with more severe symptoms and referral to hospitalization in COVID-19 infection.