Do comorbidities among patients with mental retardation differ across various age groups?

Asian J Psychiatr. 2019 Jan:39:12-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.11.001. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Abstract

Distribution of comorbidities in patients with mental retardation or intellectual disabilities (MR/ID) across various age groups is not recognized adequately. Data from 426 patients diagnosed with MR/ID was collected out of 546 samples referred for intelligence assessment. 42.3% had psychiatric comorbidities. The prevalence ratio of psychiatric comorbidity associated with MR/ID was 2.11. Frequency of comorbidities in the order of occurrence was "behavioral impairment > Epilepsy > autism/ADHD" for age-groups 10years and below, and "behavioral impairment > Epilepsy > depression/anxiety" for age-groups 11years and above. We conclude that irrespective of age distribution, behavioral impairment followed by epilepsy are found to be the most common comorbidities.

Keywords: Age distributions; Comorbidities; Intellectual disability; Mental retardation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Autistic Disorder / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology*
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Young Adult