A study of cluster behavioral abnormalities in Down syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The behavioral phenotype in Down syndrome follows a characteristic pattern.


OBJECTIVE
To find the incidence of behavioral abnormalities in Down syndrome, to compare these findings with other causes of intellectual disability and normal population and to cluster these abnormalities.


METHODS
One hundred forty mentally challenged people attending at tertiary care set up and from various non-governmental organizations were included in the study. Patients from both rural and urban set up participated in the study. The age-matched group from normal population was also studied for comparison.


METHODS
The study design is a cross-sectional survey done independently by four observers.


METHODS
A semi-structured proforma for demographic profile has been used. The behavioral abnormalities are assessed by using DASH II (Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped second modified version) scale.


METHODS
Demographic comparison has been done by analysis of variance. Correlation matrix has been run to identify correlation between individual items. Principal component analysis has been used for grouping the behavioral pattern.


RESULTS
Behavioral abnormalities as expected are more common in people having intellectual disability than the normal population. The Down syndrome group unlike other causes of intellectual disability shows higher scores in Stereotypy. Impulse control and Mania subscales. Factor analysis yields five characteristic factor structures, namely, hyperactive-impulsive, biological functions, affective, neurotic and organic-pervasive developmental disorder clusters.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the conventional belief of docile-fun and music loving prototype, individuals diagnosed with Down syndrome show clusters of behavioral abnormalities and management can vary depending on these target symptoms.
Department of Psychiatry, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India. rankholders06@yahoo.co.in
Ranjan
R
Bhattacharyya
Debasish
D
Sanyal
Krishna
K
Roy
Sanjay
S
Saha
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011594:Psychometrics; D055815:Young Adult