A comparison of the prevalence of health problems among adults with and without intellectual disability: A total administrative population study.

Abstract

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. 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. 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. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adults with intellectual disabilities have greater prevalence rates of health problems than the general population.