Primary care surveillance of
children and adults with Down’s syndrome is essential to improve
health and prevent complications, says a study (1) in the British
Journal of General Practice (BJGP).
Adults with Down’s syndrome are
predisposed to a variety of medical conditions but nearly half the
patients surveyed (2) in the north of England had not seen a doctor
in the previous 12 months and 33% had not had a medical assessment
in the previous three years.
Common medical problems faced by
adults with Down’s syndrome include congenital heart disease,
hypothyroidism, depression, and ophthalmic
disorders. Commenting on the study, lead author, Dr Alex
Henderson from the International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon
Tyne, said:
“This study suggests that there are
potential benefits of structured health checks for adults with
Down’s syndrome.”
Another study in this month’s BJGP,
conducted in the Netherlands, looked at the health problems and
prescription rates of people with intellectual disabilities
(3). It found that this group of people paid 1.7 times more
visits to the GP than those without intellectual disabilities.
Dr Lantman, from Maastricht
University, who led the study said:
“This is the first study providing evidence on the higher
consultation and prescription rates in people with intellectual
disabilities. We would recommend that further development of
training in the health problems of people with intellectual
disabilities is needed.”
Ends
Press contact: Heather Whitney at the RCGP Press Office 020 7344
3137 press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes to
editors
1. Henderson A, Lynch SA, Wilkinson
S, Hunter M. Adults with Down’s syndrome: the prevalence of
complications and health care in the community. Br J General Pract
2006; 57: 50-55
2. The authors reviewed the notes
of 64 adults in the Newcastle and Gateshead area.
3. Straetmans JMJAA, van
Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk HMJ, Schellevis FG, Dinant GJ. Health
problems of people with intellectual disabilities: the impact for
general practice. Br J Gen Pract 2006; 57:64-66
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