title: The use of a frailty index to predict adverse health outcomes (falls, fractures, hospitalization, medication use, comorbid conditions) in people with intellectual disabilities.
abstract: Frailty in older people can be seen as the increased likelihood of future negative health outcomes. Lifelong disabilities in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) may not only influence their frailty status but also the consequences. Here, we report the relation between frailty and adverse health outcomes in older people with ID (50 years and over). In a prospective population based study, frailty was measured at baseline with a frailty index in 982 older adults with ID (≥50 yr). Information on negative health outcomes (falls, fractures, hospitalization, increased medication use, and comorbid conditions) was collected at baseline and after a three-year follow-up period. Odds ratios or regression coefficients for negative health outcomes were estimated with the frailty index, adjusted for gender, age, level of ID, Down syndrome and baseline adverse health condition. The frailty index was related to an increased risk of higher medication use and several comorbid conditions, but not to falls, fractures and hospitalization. Frailty at baseline was related to negative health outcomes three years later in older people with ID, but to a lesser extent than found in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.schoufour@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Josje D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schoufour
authors.affiliation: Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.echteld@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Echteld
authors.affiliation: Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Ipse de Bruggen, P.O. Box 2027, 2470 AA Zwammerdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.bastiaanse@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Luc P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Bastiaanse
authors.affiliation: Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.evenhuis@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Heleen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Evenhuis
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Adverse health outcomes; Comorbid conditions; Falls; Frailty; People with ID