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Survival in elderly persons with Down syndrome
Antonia M W Coppus1, Heleen M Evenhuis, Gert-Jan Verberne
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|December 20, 2008
Summary
Maintaining cognitive and functional abilities is key for survival in older adults with Down syndrome (DS). Dementia, mobility issues, vision impairment, and epilepsy significantly impact mortality risk in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Genetics
- Neurology
Background:
- Increased life expectancy in Down syndrome (DS) necessitates understanding survival factors in aging individuals.
- Dementia is a common concern in older adults with DS, impacting quality of life and longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing mortality in older adults (aged 45+) with Down syndrome.
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive/functional status and survival in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 506 individuals with DS aged 45 and older.
- Annual assessments of cognitive and social functioning, with dementia diagnosis via a standardized protocol.
- Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazards modeling.
Main Results:
- Preserved cognitive and functional abilities correlate with improved survival.
- Dementia, mobility restrictions, visual impairment, and epilepsy are significant mortality predictors.
- Cardiovascular diseases were not found to be major mortality factors.
- Higher levels of intellectual disability and institutionalization are associated with increased mortality.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive and functional status are critical determinants of survival in aging individuals with Down syndrome.
- Specific clinical conditions like dementia and epilepsy, alongside social factors like institutionalization, significantly influence mortality risk.
- Further research should focus on interventions to mitigate these risks and improve longevity in the DS population.
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