Forskningsartikler

Abstract

Introduction: People with Down syndrome (DS) have high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study examined mean ages of AD diagnosis and associations with co-occurring conditions among adults with DS from five European countries.

Methods: Data from 1335 people with DS from the Horizon 21 European DS Consortium were used for the analysis.

Results: Mean ages of AD diagnosis ranged between 51.4 (SD 7.0) years (United Kingdom) and 55.6 (SD 6.8) years (France). Sleep-related and mental health problems were associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis. The higher number of co-occurring conditions the more likely the person with DS is diagnosed with AD at an earlier age.

Discussion: Mean age of AD diagnosis in DS was relatively consistent across countries. However, co-occurring conditions varied and impacted on age of diagnosis, suggesting that improvements can be made in diagnosing and managing these conditions to delay onset of AD in DS.

Highlights: Mean age of AD diagnosis was relatively consistent between countries Sleep problems and mental health problems were associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis APOE ε4 carriers were diagnosed with AD at an earlier age compared to non-carriers Number of co-occurring conditions was associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis No differences between level of intellectual disability and mean age of AD diagnosis.

Frode Kibsgaard Larsen, R. Asaad Baksh, Eimear McGlinchey, Ellen Melbye Langballe, Bessy Benejam, Jessica Beresford-Webb, Mary McCarron, Antonia Coppus, Segolene Falquero, Juan Fortea, Johannes Levin, Sandra V. Loosli, Ruth Mark, Anne-Sophie Rebillat, Shahid Zaman & Andre Strydom

Abstract:

The Norwegian health care system is built on individual rights and the principles of universal access, decentralization, and free choice of provider. Norway has universal health coverage, funded primarily by general taxes and by payroll contributions shared by employers and employees. Local authorities at the municipal level organize and finance primary health care services according to local demand and within national frameworks. Habilitation services are offered both in the primary health care and as a part of the specialist health services. They offer both inpatient and outpatient services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). National guidelines, known as Good health and care services for people with IDD, have recently (2021) been launched after various reports over the years of serious breaches and challenges in the health and care services provided to people with IDD.

Stine Skorpen & Erik Søndenaa

Background: This study investigates the use of health and dental care services in adults with intellectual disability in the last 12 months according to Norwegian recommendations and in relation to age and intellectual disability levels.

Method: A cross-sectional community-based survey including 214 participants (56% men). POMONA health indicators were used for data collection.

Results: Health checks and contact with general practitioners in the last year increased with age but were less frequent in those with more severe intellectual disability. Hospital admissions were age independent. Less than one-fifth of women had undergone cancer screening, with small variations according to intellectual disability severity levels. Few had an individual plan. More than one-third experienced poor dental health despite frequent controls.
Conclusions: The use of health checks was lower than recommended, especially in individuals with more severe intellectual disability. Service access and individual plan use need to be enhanced, and dental care services should be improved.

Monica Isabel Olsen, Erik Søndenaa, Ellen Melbye Langballe, Marianne Berg Halvorsen, Per Wilhelmsen, Erik Bautz-Holter & Audny Anke

Background: The employment rate for people with intellectual disabilities is low. This study aims to increase the knowledge about the association between age, gender, diagnosis, functional level, educational level, and daily activities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Method: A multinomial logistic analysis was applied to registry data on 12,735 adults
with intellectual disabilities from the Norwegian Information System for the Nursing and Care Sector (IPLOS) and Statistics Norway (SSB).
Results: Higher likelihood of employment and day care participation were associated with younger age but differed between genders and diagnoses. High functional level and lack of a registered functional level decreased the likelihood for employment. Educational level was not associated with employment.
Conclusions: The systematic differences in employment and day care participation among people with intellectual disabilities indicate that actions are needed to prevent inequalities. Improved individual assessment of personal resources and wishes might promote participation in employment and day care.

Jeanette Engeland, Bjørn Heine Strand, Siw Tone Innstrand, Ellen Melbye Langballe

BackgroundThe common recommendation that adults with onset of mental illness after the age of 65 should receive specialised psychogeriatric treatment is based on limited evidence.

AimsTo compare factors related to psychiatric acute admission in older adults who have no previous psychiatric history (NPH) with that of those who have a previous psychiatric history (PPH).

MethodCross-sectional cohort study of 918 patients aged ≥65 years consecutively admitted to a general adult psychiatric acute unit from 2005 to 2014.

ResultsPatients in the NPH group (n = 526) were significantly older than those in the PPH group (n = 391) (77.6 v. 70.9 years P < 0.001), more likely to be men, married or widowed and admitted involuntarily. Diagnostic prevalence in the NPH and PPH groups were 49.0% v. 8.4% (P < 0.001) for organic mental disorders, 14.6% v. 30.4% (P < 0.001) for psychotic disorders, 30.2% v. 55.5% (P < 0.001) for affective disorders and 20.7% v. 13.3% (P = 0.003) for somatic disorders. The NPH group scored significantly higher on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) items agitated behaviour; cognitive problems; physical illness or disability and problems with activities of daily living, whereas those in the PPH group scored significantly higher on depressed mood. Although the PPH group were more likely to report suicidal ideation, those in the NPH group were more likely to have made a suicide attempt before the admission.

ConclusionsAmong psychiatric patients >65 years, the subgroup with NPH were characterised by more physical frailty, somatic comorbidity and functional and cognitive impairment as well as higher rates of preadmission suicide attempts. Admitting facilities should be appropriately suited to manage their needs.

Hallvard Lund-Heimark, Eirik Kjelby, Lars Mehlum, Rolf Gjestad , Geir Selbæk, Rune Andreas Kroken, Erik Johnsen, Ketil Joachim Oedegaard, Liv S. Mellesdal