Prevalence of reported physical health problems in people with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities: a cross-sectional study of medical records and care plans

• Published in: Journal of intellectual disability research Vol. 60; no. 11; pp. 1109 - 1118
• Main Authors: van Timmeren, E. A., van der Putten, A. A. J., van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk, H. M. J., van der Schans, C. P., Waninge, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-11-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Care plans; Comorbidity; Constipation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysfunction; Epilepsy; Female; Health problems; Health Status; Humans; Incontinence; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability - epidemiology; Male; Medical records; Middle Aged; Motor ability; Motor Disorders - epidemiology; Movement Disorders - epidemiology; Osteoporosis; People with disabilities; Physical Health; Prevalence; profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; Records (Forms); Reliance; Residential care; severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities; Severity of Illness Index; Spasticity; Visual impairment; Visual Impairments; severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities; intellectual disabilities; profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; physical health
• ISSN: 0964-2633; 1365-2788
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.12298

Background
People with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities (SPIMD) experience numerous serious physical health problems and comorbidities. Knowledge regarding the prevalence of these problems is needed in order to detect and treat them at an early stage. Data concerning these problems in individuals with SPIMD are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of reported physical health problems in adults with SPIMD through a review of medical records and care plans.
Method
We conducted a cross‐sectional study employing data obtained from medical and support records. A sample of adults with SPIMD was recruited in eight residential care settings. Physical health problems that had occurred during the previous 12 months or were chronic were recorded.
Results
The records of 99 participants were included. A wide range of physical health problems were found with a mean of 12 problems per person. Very high prevalence rates (>50%) were found for constipation, visual impairment, epilepsy, spasticity, deformations, incontinence and reflux.
Conclusions
The results suggest that people with SPIMD simultaneously experience numerous, serious physical health problems. The reliance on reported problems may cause an underestimation of the prevalence of health problems with less visible signs and symptoms such as osteoporosis and thyroid dysfunction.