The prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in inpatients with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and behavioural problems in a Dutch special healthcare institution.


METHODS
This observational study was conducted from medical records of physical examinations, laboratory results, medication (history), ethnicity and length of stay, as well as from questionnaires about lifestyle and smoking habits. MetS was defined by using the criteria of the 2009 consensus guidelines. The questions in this study were about the prevalence of MetS over a 1-year period and exploration of the differences between the people with and without MetS to determine the factors associated with it.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of MetS in the selected population of people with IDs and behavioural problems was 46%. The factors 'use of conventional antipsychotics', 'age', and a ' low nutrition score' increased the risk of developing MetS. Together, these variables determine 19% of the variance in the incidence of MetS.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates a firm prevalence of MetS in a vulnerable population, whereby a minority of contributing factors was determined. Professionals should be particularly alert during the provision of antipsychotics, diet and exercise habits to prevent MetS when treating people with IDs and behavioural problems, and further studies are needed to explore the factors that contribute to the nascence and prevalence of MetS.
['Room|B|B|', 'Timmermans|O|O|', 'Roodbol|P|P|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D015897:Comorbidity D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007297:Inpatients D008607:Intellectual Disability D008297:Male D024821:Metabolic Syndrome D008875:Middle Aged D009426:Netherlands D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors D055815:Young Adult
metabolic syndrome intellectual disabilities antipsychotics diet exercise cardiovascular risk