Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have a predisposition to leukaemia and testicular cancer, but data on the incidence of cancers are yet sparse. A cohort of 3,581 persons with DS was identified from a National Registry of Finnish persons with intellectual disability collected between 1978 and 1986 and followed-up for cancer incidence until 2002. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were defined as ratios of observed number of cancer cases to those expected from the national cancer incidence rates, by age and sex. The overall cancer risk was equal to that of the general population, but a significantly high risk of leukaemia (SIR 10.5, CI 95% 6.6-15.8) and testicular cancer (SIR4.8, CI 95% 1.8-10.4) was found. ' 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

When several health and social benefit registers are surveyed, the estimated prevalence of ID increases, approaching that obtained in epidemiological surveys.

-The mental health, adaptive behaviour and intellectual abilities of people with Down syndrome (n=129) were evaluated in a population-based survey of social and health care records. Females had better cognitive abilities and speech production compared with males. Males had more behavioural problems than females. Behaviour suggestive of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was often seen in childhood. Depression was diagnosed mainly in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability. Autistic behaviour was most common in individuals with profound intellectual disability. Elderly people often showed decline of adaptive behaviour associated with Alzheimer's disease. Case descriptions are presented to illustrate the multitude of mental health and behavioural issues seen from childhood to old age in this population.

Results suggest that cognitive-behavioral group rehabilitation can be suitable in treating adult ADHD.

No abstract