Cardiac diseases in people with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
In people with ID there is more morbidity than in the general population, including cardiac diseases. Dutch figures on this subject are scarce.


METHODS
Descriptive study of the prevalence of cardiac diseases in 436 residential clients in Echt, the Netherlands, and comparisons between men and women, age groups, and level and aetiology of ID, were carried out.


RESULTS
It was found that the total prevalence of cardiac diseases was 14%, with a higher prevalence among women, the elderly, and people with mild/moderate ID.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of cardiac diseases in residential clients is substantial. With the increasing number of ageing people with ID and people with ID living more independently in community-integrated residences, it is expected that the morbidity and mortality from cardiac diseases will increase further.
van den Akker
M
M
Department of General Practice, Maastrict University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. marjan.vandenakker@hag.unimaas.nl
Maaskant
M A
MA
van der Meijden
R J M
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012016:Reference Values; D012114:Residential Treatment