Premium
Factors associated with death in people with intellectual disability
Author(s) -
Reppermund Simone,
Srasuebkul Preeyaporn,
Dean Kimberlie,
Trollor Julian N
Publication year - 2020
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.12684
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , psychological intervention , medicine , population , gerontology , public health , mental health , learning disability , cerebral palsy , health care , psychiatry , environmental health , nursing , economics , economic growth
Background People with intellectual disability (ID) experience higher mortality than the general population. This study examines factors contributing to deaths in people with intellectual disability. Method Linked administrative data spanning ten years for 49,947 people with intellectual disability receiving disability services were analysed to assess the impact of demographic variables, comorbidities and health service utilization on the risk of death using Cox proportional hazard models. Results People admitted for cancer were 8 times more likely to die within the study period compared to people not admitted for cancer. Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and heart disease also increased the risk of death. Emergency department presentations and/or mental health admissions increased the risk of death 4 times. Conclusions Our findings provide a basis for policy changes and public health interventions. Cancer screening, mental health interventions, inclusion of people with intellectual disability in health policy and improved health care are needed to meet the needs of this population.