title: Medical conditions and medication use in adults with Down syndrome: a descriptive analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the presence of medical conditions and medication use within a sample of adults with Down syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review using a sample of 141 adults with Down syndrome and age range of 30 to 65 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identify 23 categories of commonly occurring medical conditions and 24 categories of medications used by adults with Down syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately 75 of older adults with Down syndrome in our sample experience memory loss and dementia. Hypothyroidism, seizures, and skin problems also occur commonly. The prevalence of cancer (i.e., solid tumours) and hypertension is extremely low. Older adults with Down syndrome use anticonvulsant more often than younger adults with Down syndrome. The use of multivitamins and medications such as pain relievers, prophylactic antibiotics, and topical ointments is common.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut Health Center, A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities, Farmington CT, USA.
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kerins
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Petrovic
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bruder
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gruman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies