[The treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities]

Life expectancy is significantly reduced in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) compared to those without ID, especially in severe cases. The diagnosis is made using validated IQ tests or through clinical assessment. The aetiology of ID is diverse and unknown in half of the cases. Several risk factors increase the likelihood of ID. Patients are often multimorbid and simultaneously underdiagnosed. This review finds that the lack of adaptive functioning is important for understanding people with ID. Informed consent may depend on the complexity of the treatment decision.