title: Medical care of adults with mental retardation.
abstract: Persons with mental retardation are living longer and integrating into their communities. Primary medical care of persons with mental retardation should involve continuity of care, maintenance of comprehensive treatment documentation, routine periodic health screening, and an understanding of the unique medical and behavioral disorders common to this population. Office visits can be successful if physicians familiarize patients with the office and staff, plan for difficult behaviors, and administer mild sedation when appropriate. Some syndromes that cause mental retardation have specific medical and behavioral features. Health issues in these patients include respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders, challenging behaviors, and neurologic conditions. Some commonly overlooked health concerns are sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and end-of-life decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga Unit, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403, USA. cprater@orangegrove.org
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Prater
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Zylstra
mesh_terms: D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D016743:Mental Competency; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications; D017592:Skin Care; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D016387:Women's Health