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Age at Death in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Author(s) -
Arvio Maria,
Salokivi Tommi,
BjelogrlicLaakso Nina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12269
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , population , demography , medicine , gerontology , intellectual ability , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , cognition , sociology
Background We aimed to ascertain the average age at death ( AD ) in the intellectual disability population for each gender and compare them to those of the general population during 1970–2012. Methods By analysing medical records, we calculated the AD s of all deceased clients ( N = 1236) of two district organizations responsible for intellectual disability services. Statistics Finland's database generated data regarding AD s of all inhabitants who had died after having resided in same district. Results During the follow‐up, average AD s for the intellectual disability population and general population increased, and simultaneously the AD difference between these populations decreased. In the 2000s, the AD difference between the intellectual disability population and the whole population was 22 years for men (95% CI : −24 to −20) and 30 years for women (95% CI : −33 to −27). In 2000s, the mean AD of those with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability ( IQ 50–69) for women and men was 56 ( SD 17) and 54 ( SD 18), and those with severe to profound intellectual disability ( IQ <50), 44 ( SD 23) and 43 ( SD 21). Conclusions Intellectual disability is still a considerable risk factor for early death. Among the intellectual disability population, unlike in general population, the lifespans of women and men are equal.