Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Risk Factors in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Results of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities Study

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that older adults with intellectual disabilities are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, longitudinal studies investigating the actual incidence of CVD and its associated risk factors in this population are limited. Such research is essential for optimising healthcare delivery and informing effective resource allocation. Therefore, this study aimed to examine CVD incidence in older adults with intellectual disabilities and explore its associations with participant characteristics and risk factors. Method: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in older adults (≥ 50 years) with intellectual disabilities as part of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities study. Baseline measurements were performed in 2009–2010, with follow-up assessments, including medical record reviews, in 2020–2023. Incidence rates for myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF) and stroke were calculated by sex and 10-year age categories. Competing risk analysis was performed to examine the associations between CVD diagnoses during follow-up and baseline participant characteristics/CVD risk factors, accounting for mortality as a competing risk. Results: Among 598 participants (62.0 ± 8.5 year; 49.3% female), with a mean follow-up of 8.6 years, incidence rates were 2.3 per 1000 person years for MI, 7.2 for HF, and 5.3 for stroke. Hypertension (HR 3.17; p < 0.001), Down syndrome (HR 2.66; p < 0.01) and antipsychotic use (HR 1.98; p = 0.04) were associated with an increased CVD risk during follow-up. Conclusions: A lower incidence of MI and similar to higher incidence of HF and stroke were found in older adults with intellectual disabilities than in the general population. Further research, including a focus on the association of CVD incidence with Down syndrome, is needed. Meanwhile, proactive assessment and management of CVD risk factors, such as hypertension and antipsychotic use, are important for improving cardiovascular health in older adults with intellectual disabilities.