Comparative mortality in mentally retarded patients in California, with and without Down's syndrome, 1986-1991.
BACKGROUND
The large database of the California Department of Developmental Services provides a data source for mortality rates in persons with mental retardation by age, sex, severity, cause and associated conditions.


RESULTS
Data for 1986-1991 were used to determine age-related mortality rates in cases with and without Down's Syndrome, in three severity levels of mental retardation. Distribution data for the data-base population are also given.


CONCLUSIONS
In both Down's and non-Down's patient groups excess mortality increased with severity of mental retardation at all ages. In both groups excess mortality tended to decrease with advancing age to age 35-39 years, and to increase at the older ages. The age increase in excess death rate at age 40 years and up was steeper in the patients with Down's Syndrome.
Singer
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RB
University of California, Riverside, USA.
Strauss
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index