Longitudinal changes in adaptive behavior in adults with Down syndrome: interim findings from a longitudinal study.
Age-related changes in adaptive behavior have been established in adults with Down syndrome. However, most studies have been cross-sectional, without controls for cohort and survival effects. We examined underlying factors for age-related decline in adaptive behavior in 128 adults with trisomy 21 over a 3-year period. Presence of dementia was the only determining factor, although the difference in trend over time as compared to subjects without dementia was not significant. No association between gender, sensory loss, severity of mental retardation, or place of residence was found. For subjects with no significant medical disorder (physical or psychological), no decline was seen. This longitudinal study confirms previously reported findings.
Department of Psychiatry, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. vprasher@compuserve.com
V P
VP
Prasher
M C
MC
Chung
M S
MS
Haque
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment