The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in middle-aged people with intellectual disabilities. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaal-Schuller, I.H.; Goorhuis, A.E.M.; Bock-Sinot, A.; Claassen, I.H.M.; Echteld, M.A.; Evenhuis, H.M.
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 36(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 526
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Peripheral arterial disease -- Ankle-brachial index -- Intellectual disability -- Prevalence -- Middle age; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.10.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Highlights: Peripheral arterial disease is a first sign of cardiovascular disease. Its overall prevalence in adults with mild to severe intellectual disabilities aged 40–59 years is 8.4%, and is similar in age groups 40–49 years and 50–59 years. The prevalence in age group 40–49 years is significantly higher than that in the general population of that age. In none of the participants, peripheral arterial disease had been diagnosed before this study. The risk is five times increased in persons with motor impairments (wheelchair use). Abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a manifestation of atherosclerosis below the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. PAD increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality. Little is known about the prevalence of PAD in middle-aged persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). We determined the prevalence of PAD among people with ID aged 40–59 years. Independent associations between PAD and patient and care characteristics were explored. A multi-center cross-sectional observational study was conducted in four care providing agencies for people with ID in the Netherlands. We included 407 participants with mild to profound ID aged 40–59 years, receiving medical care from specialized ID physicians. The ankle-brachial index was used to diagnose PAD. The overall prevalence of PAD was 8.4% (95% CI = 6.0–11.4%), with no significant differences between age groups 40–49 years (8.2%) and 50–59 years (8.5%). None of the participants had been diagnosed with PAD prior to this study and only one participant with PAD had PAD-related symptoms (1/34). Wheelchair dependence was independently associated with PAD (OR = 5.43). Prevalence of PAD among people with ID is high, which is especially remarkable in age group 40–49 years. Physicians need to be aware of this high prevalence of PAD and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in (young) people with ID.