title: Mortality in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epilepsy is highly prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities and mortality is increased in people with epilepsy generally. This review summarises research on the comparative risk of mortality in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy compared to the general population, people with intellectual disabilities without epilepsy, and people with epilepsy without intellectual disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified via electronic searches using Medline, Cinahl and PsycINFO and cross-citations. Information extracted from studies was tabulated and reviewed narratively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Epilepsy was associated with increased mortality in people with intellectual disabilities in most studies, particularly in those experiencing recent seizures. Further research is needed to substantiate some of the reported findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Services must be equipped with the skills and information needed to manage this condition in order to minimise the risk of death in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: j.m.robertson@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, United Kingdom; Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emerson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susannah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baines
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*
keywords: Epilepsy; Intellectual disabilities; Mortality