Screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors at baseline and post intervention among adults with intellectual disabilities in an urbanised Asian society. (28th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wee, L. E.; Koh, G. C‐H.; Auyong, L. S.; Cheong, A.; Myo, T. T.; Lin, J.; Lim, E.; Tan, S.; Sundaramurthy, S.; Koh, C. W.; Ramakrishnan, P.; Aariyapillai‐Rajagopal, R.; Vaidynathan‐Selvamuthu, H.; Ma‐Ma, K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual disability research. Volume 58:Part 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2012-12-28
• Subjects: Mental retardation -- Research -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.12006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-2633

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jir12006-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) face significant barriers to screening participation. We determined predictors for regular cardiovascular health screening at baseline among adults with ID in Singapore, and evaluated the effectiveness of a 3‐month screening intervention.</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12006-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The study population involved all adults with ID aged ≥40 years receiving services from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), the largest such provider in Singapore. Over 3 months in 2011, adult clients not screened regularly at baseline for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia were offered free and convenient blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid testing; data on other cardiovascular disease risk factors were also collected. Chi‐square and logistic regression identified predictors of regular screening at baseline.</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12006-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Participation was 95.0% (227/239). At baseline, among adults with ID, 61.8% (118/191), 24.8% (52/210) and 18.2% (34/187) had gone for regular hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia screening respectively; post intervention, rates rose to 96.9%, 89.5% and 88.8% respectively. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (22.5% with hypertension, 10.6% with diabetes, 34.8% with dyslipidaemia, 10.7% obese and 90.6% lacking regular exercise) was high compared against the general population. While receiving residential services was associated with regular hypertension screening, receiving non‐residential services and being independently mobile were associated with regular participation in fasting blood tests (all <italic>P</italic> < 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12006-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Cardiovascular disease risk factors are common among adults with ID and clinicians should proactively screen such populations. Provision of free and convenient screening for cardiovascular disease risk improved screening participation.</p> </sec> </abstract>