Exploring chronic disease prevalence in people with intellectual disabilities in primary care settings: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Primary care providers require accurate evidence on chronic disease prevalence in people with intellectual disabilities in order to apply this information into practice. This study aimed to map the broadness of literature on chronic disease prevalence in people with and without intellectual disabilities, and to explore main characteristics of these studies.

Method: A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, covering 2000 to February 2020, including literature that discussed chronic disease prevalence in people with and without intellectual disabilities, with similar data collection method for both groups.

Results: Nineteen studies were included. Chronic disease prevalence varied considerably between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Studies differed in their methodologies, country and age groups that were enrolled.

Conclusions: Primary care providers should interpret results on disease prevalence among people with intellectual disabilities in light of the study characteristics. Researchers should always interpret prevalence rates in the context of methodology.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases; chronic disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes mellitus; intellectual disability; prevalence.