Prevalence of anxiety symptomatology and diagnosis in syndromic intellectual disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 138; p. 104719
• Main Authors: Edwards, Georgina, Jones, Chris, Pearson, Effie, Royston, Rachel, Oliver, Chris, Tarver, Joanne, Crawford, Hayley, Shelley, Lauren, Waite, Jane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2022
• Subjects: Anxiety; Intellectual disability; Meta-analysis; Prevalence; Review; Syndromes; Syndromes; Anxiety; Intellectual disability; Prevalence; Review; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104719

Individuals with syndromic intellectual disability are at increased risk of experiencing anxiety. Comparing prevalence estimates of anxiety will allow the identification of at-risk groups and inform causal pathways of anxiety. No known study has explored estimates of anxiety symptomatology and diagnosis, including specific anxiety profiles, across groups whilst accounting for methodological quality of studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to fill this gap. Prior to review completion, methodology and analysis plans were registered and documented in a protocol (CRD42019123561). Data from 83 papers, involving a pooled sample of 13,708 across eight syndromes were synthesised using a random effects model. Anxiety prevalence ranged from 9 % (95 % CI: 4–14) in Down syndrome to 73% in Rett syndrome (95 % CI: 70–77). Anxiety prevalence across syndromic intellectual disability was higher than for intellectual disability of mixed aetiology and general population estimates. Substantial variability between syndromes identified groups at higher risk than others. The identification of high-risk groups is crucial for early intervention, allowing us to refine models of risk and identify divergent profiles.
•Individuals with syndromic intellectual disability are at heightened risk of anxiety compared to intellectual disability of mixed aetiology and general population groups.•There is variability in prevalence estimates of anxiety between syndromic groups, highlighting those at higher risk than others, which is key for early identification and intervention.•Specific anxiety profiles are evident across syndromic groups, highlighting divergent profiles that inform causal pathways of anxiety and intervention.