[Vulnerability of patients with intellectual disabilities in emergency]

People with intellectual disabilities should receive the same healthcare as those offered to the general population. However, they have weakened defense capabilities compared to the rest of the population and are therefore more vulnerable, with somatic, psychological, and psychosocial crises being more frequent and becoming complicated to manage. Usually, a primary assessment can reduce the need for transfer to emergency departments, but some situations may become complex and require hospital-based care. In this article, we will examine the issues related to the vulnerability of patients with intellectual disabilities in emergent or urgent situations, addressing the challenges they face and the measure that can be taken to ensure care that is tailored to their needs.