ADHD Linked to Increased Gut Issues, Study Reveals

University of Warwick researchers have analysed data from over 1.9 million people across 23 studies and found that ADHD is linked to an almost 50% increase in overall gastrointestinal symptoms compared with people without ADHD The association was even stronger for specific problems: nearly double the odds of constipation, a 58% increase in irritable bowel syndrome, and more than four times the odds of encopresis (loss of bowel control).

An estimated 5% of children and 3-4% of adults have ADHD worldwide and reported diagnosis rates have risen sharply over the past 40 years. Gut problems are already well documented in autism spectrum disorder, with a growing body of evidence pointing to a 'gut-brain axis' linking digestive health to neurodevelopmental conditions more widely. Until now, the extent of gastrointestinal symptoms in people with ADHD has remained unclear.