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COVID-19 deaths in people with intellectual disability in the UK and Ireland: descriptive study

Bhathika Perera1, Richard Laugharne2, William Henley3

  • 1Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust, UK.

Bjpsych Open
|October 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

People with intellectual disability (ID) who died from COVID-19 were younger and had higher rates of comorbidities like epilepsy and Down syndrome. Understanding these specific risk factors is crucial for targeted prevention strategies in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Intellectual Disability Research

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately impacted individuals with intellectual disability.
  • Limited data exists on specific risk factors contributing to COVID-19 mortality in this population.
  • Identifying high-risk individuals is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify comorbidities, demographic, and clinical factors associated with COVID-19 deaths in individuals with intellectual disability.
  • To compare risk factors between mild and moderate-to-profound intellectual disability subcohorts.

Main Methods:

  • An observational descriptive case series was conducted.
  • Data from 66 COVID-19 deaths in individuals with intellectual disability were analyzed.
  • Specific risk factors and comorbidities were examined, alongside comparisons between intellectual disability severity groups.

Main Results:

  • The study analyzed data from 66 deaths in individuals with intellectual disability.
  • This group was younger (mean age 64) than the general population COVID-19 death cohort.
  • High rates of moderate-to-profound intellectual disability, epilepsy, mental illness, dysphagia, Down syndrome, and dementia were observed.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first study to explore associations between risk factors and comorbidities in COVID-19 deaths among people with intellectual disability.
  • Findings offer insights into potential factors influencing mortality in this group.
  • Variations between intellectual disability severity groups highlight the need for further research into cumulative impacts and potential COVID-19 resurgence prevention.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19intellectual disability deathspremature mortality

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