Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Institutionalized Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.
BACKGROUND
Persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are exposed to several factors, which have been determined as risks for osteoporosis. Many of these individuals are non-ambulatory, resulting in lack of weight bearing activity, which is well established as a major contributor to bone loss. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in persons with IDD residing in residential facilities.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted at an Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IDD). Medical records data were used from 69 individuals, including heal scan T-scores, nutritional, pharmacologic and other risk factors. Chi-Square analysis was used to determine relationships between the variables.


RESULTS
BMD measures were not significantly associated with age, gender, height, weight, or BMI for this population (P > 0.05). The association between BMD diagnoses and DSM-IV classification of mental retardation approached significance (P = 0.063). A significant association was found with anti-seizure medication (P = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Follow-up studies should focus on how supplementation and medication changes may or may not alter BMD. Persons with IDD are experiencing longer life expectancies, and therefore, studies ascertaining information on diseases associated with this aging population are warranted.
Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA.
Michael A
MA
Vice
Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA.
Vinayak K
VK
Nahar
Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA.
M Allison
MA
Ford
Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA.
Martha A
MA
Bass
Department of Health and Human Performance, Health, and Behavioral Sciences, College of Education, The University of Tennessee at Martin, USA.
Andrea K
AK
Johnson
School of Medicine, University of Mississippi, Jackson, USA.
Ashton B
AB
Davis
Department of Health Policy and Management, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, USA.
Rizwana
R
Biviji-Sharma
Anti-seizure medication; Intellectual/developmental disabilities; Mental Retardation; Osteoporosis