A comparison of the prevalence of health problems among adults with and without intellectual disability: A total administrative population study. Issue 1 (31st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McMahon, Martin; Hatton, Chris
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities. Volume 34:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 316
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2020-07-31
• Subjects: disease -- health inequalities -- health problems -- ICD‐10 -- intellectual disability; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; Learning disabled -- Periodicals; People with mental disabilities -- Periodicals; 616.85880072
• DOI: 10.1111/jar.12785
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2322

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: There is considerable international research indicating health disparities between people with and without intellectual disabilities. It is important that comparative studies use representative population samples. This study compares a total administrative population of adults with intellectual disability to a random stratified general population sample. Methods: An administrative population of 217 adults with intellectual disability and a random stratified sample of 2, 350 adults without intellectual disability participated. A questionnaire using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) Chapter Headings was administered to all participants to enable a like‐for‐like comparison. Findings: Unadjusted comparisons identified that adults with intellectual disability have a greater prevalence of health problems. These problems start early in adulthood and continue throughout life. However, they were less likely to experience cancers and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adults with intellectual disabilities have greater prevalence rates of health problems than the general population.