Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported significantly more constipation and flatulence than healthy controls. An altered gut microbiome can be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, comprehensive information about associated risk of intestinal dis...

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Main Authors: Rita W. Y. Ng, Zigui Chen, Liuyue Yang, Oscar W. H. Wong, Agnes S.Y. Leung, K. W. Tsui, Natalie M.W. Kwok, Lesley H.Y. Tang, Peter M.H. Cheung, Paul K. S. Chan, Margaret Ip
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04303-x
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author Rita W. Y. Ng
Zigui Chen
Liuyue Yang
Oscar W. H. Wong
Agnes S.Y. Leung
K. W. Tsui
Natalie M.W. Kwok
Lesley H.Y. Tang
Peter M.H. Cheung
Paul K. S. Chan
Margaret Ip
author_facet Rita W. Y. Ng
Zigui Chen
Liuyue Yang
Oscar W. H. Wong
Agnes S.Y. Leung
K. W. Tsui
Natalie M.W. Kwok
Lesley H.Y. Tang
Peter M.H. Cheung
Paul K. S. Chan
Margaret Ip
author_sort Rita W. Y. Ng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported significantly more constipation and flatulence than healthy controls. An altered gut microbiome can be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, comprehensive information about associated risk of intestinal disorders and ADHD remains limited. A systematic review of the literature was therefore conducted to investigate the association between ADHD and different types of intestinal disorders. A total of 11 studies with 3,851,163 unique individuals, including 175 806 individuals with ADHD and 3 675 357 individuals without ADHD were included. The pooled OR of intestinal disorders for individuals with ADHD was 1.25 (95%CI, 0.75–2.07). A significant positive association was found between ADHD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.45–1.83]). Studies conducted in Eastern Mediterranean Region yielded a summary OR estimate that was higher than summary OR estimates in studies conducted in Region of the Americas, European Region and Western Pacific Region (3.03 [1.53–5.99] vs. 2.20 [1.05–4.63], 1.04 [0.44–2.41], 0.68 [0.25–1.87]), with p value 0.053, indicating a trend towards significance. High heterogeneity was observed. Our study supports association between ADHD and increased risk of IBS. Our study suggests an altered gut microbiome is the potential link that bridges gap between ADHD and intestinal disorder.
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spelling doaj-art-22a80a0740384c0fb14856d75c1936692025-08-20T03:10:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-04303-xAssociation between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysisRita W. Y. Ng0Zigui Chen1Liuyue Yang2Oscar W. H. Wong3Agnes S.Y. Leung4K. W. Tsui5Natalie M.W. Kwok6Lesley H.Y. Tang7Peter M.H. Cheung8Paul K. S. Chan9Margaret Ip10Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hospital AuthorityFaculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha TinFaculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha TinFaculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha TinDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShatinAbstract Patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported significantly more constipation and flatulence than healthy controls. An altered gut microbiome can be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, comprehensive information about associated risk of intestinal disorders and ADHD remains limited. A systematic review of the literature was therefore conducted to investigate the association between ADHD and different types of intestinal disorders. A total of 11 studies with 3,851,163 unique individuals, including 175 806 individuals with ADHD and 3 675 357 individuals without ADHD were included. The pooled OR of intestinal disorders for individuals with ADHD was 1.25 (95%CI, 0.75–2.07). A significant positive association was found between ADHD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.45–1.83]). Studies conducted in Eastern Mediterranean Region yielded a summary OR estimate that was higher than summary OR estimates in studies conducted in Region of the Americas, European Region and Western Pacific Region (3.03 [1.53–5.99] vs. 2.20 [1.05–4.63], 1.04 [0.44–2.41], 0.68 [0.25–1.87]), with p value 0.053, indicating a trend towards significance. High heterogeneity was observed. Our study supports association between ADHD and increased risk of IBS. Our study suggests an altered gut microbiome is the potential link that bridges gap between ADHD and intestinal disorder.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04303-xAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Intestinal disordersMeta-analysis
spellingShingle Rita W. Y. Ng
Zigui Chen
Liuyue Yang
Oscar W. H. Wong
Agnes S.Y. Leung
K. W. Tsui
Natalie M.W. Kwok
Lesley H.Y. Tang
Peter M.H. Cheung
Paul K. S. Chan
Margaret Ip
Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Scientific Reports
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Intestinal disorders
Meta-analysis
title Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
title_full Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
title_fullStr Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
title_short Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
title_sort association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Intestinal disorders
Meta-analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04303-x
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