A follow-up study of mortality, health conditions and associated disabilities of people with intellectual disabilities in a Swedish county.
BACKGROUND
In the planning of services and health care for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), information is needed on the special requirements for habilitation and medical service and associated disabilities.


METHODS
An unselected consecutive series of 82 adult persons with ID was studied. The medical examination consisted of the individual's health condition, associated impairments and disabilities. Medical and habilitation services and support were studied.


RESULTS
The results indicated that 71% of the persons in the series had severe and 29% mild ID. Forty-seven per cent of the persons with severe ID and 35% of those with mild ID had one or more additional central nervous system (CNS) disabilities. Of the persons with ID, 99% had access to a family doctor and 84% attended regular health visits. Notably, half of persons were referred to a specialist examination as a consequence of their present medical examination. Half of the persons with mental health problems were previously undiagnosed and only a few of these had access to a psychiatrist.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study clearly demonstrates the magnitude and importance of neurological and psychiatric impairments in ID. The findings suggest a strong need for multidisciplinary health service.
Gustavson
K-H
KH
Department of Clinical Genetics, Rudbeck Laboratory University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. karl-henrik.gustavson@genpat.uu.se
Umb-Carlsson
O
O
Sonnander
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013548:Sweden