Differentiating Aging Among Adults With Down Syndrome and Comorbid Dementia or Psychopathology

Abstract

Differences were examined between three groups of adults with Down syndrome in their behavioral presentation, social life/activities, health, and support needs. We compared those with comorbid dementia, with comorbid psychopathology, and with no comorbid conditions. Adults with comorbid dementia were more likely to be older, have lower functional abilities, have worse health and more health conditions, and need more support in self-care. Adults with comorbid psychopathology were more likely to exhibit more behavior problems, and to be living at home with their families. Adults with no comorbidities were most likely to be involved in community employment. Differences in behavioral presentation can help facilitate clinical diagnoses in aging in Down syndrome, and implications for differential diagnosis and service supports are discussed.

Correlates of early cognition in infants with Down syndrome

“…Throughout the lifespan, DS is associated with overall delayed cognitive skill acquisition and specific disruptions in the development of working memory, long-term memory, spatial processing and executive function (EF; Lanfranchi et al 2004;Lavenex et al 2015;Daunhauer et al 2017;Godfrey and Lee 2018). In addition, although the most predominating outcome associated with DS is ID, DS is associated with numerous comorbid conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (DiGuiseppi et al 2010;Warner et al 2014), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (Ekstein et al 2011) and Alzheimer's disease (Zigman and Lott 2007;Lott and Dierssen 2010;Esbensen et al 2016).…”

Adaptive behaviour, executive function and employment in adults with Down syndrome

“…Some studies have focused on identifying the predictors of skill loss, such as declining functional abilities, decreased participation in activities, behavioural changes and co‐morbid health conditions (Esbensen ; Esbensen et al . ; Fonseca et al . ; Krinsky‐McHale et al .…”

“…Despite the number of individuals with DS currently employed and adaptively engaging in their adult lives, the majority of studies on adulthood in DS generally focus on declines in cognitive, linguistic and adaptive behaviour skills during later adulthood (Couzens et al 2011;Ghezzo et al 2014) associated with the ageing process (Esbensen 2010;Glasson et al 2014;Hartley et al 2014). Some studies have focused on identifying the predictors of skill loss, such as declining functional abilities, decreased participation in activities, behavioural changes and co-morbid health conditions (Esbensen 2016;Esbensen et al 2016;Fonseca et al 2014;Krinsky-McHale et al 2014;Lifschitz-Vahav et al 2016). Amidst the growing body of research on adulthood in DS, however, there are few studies of adulthood with a focus on well-adapted outcomes, such as employment.…”

Self‐inflicted human bite followed by hand necrotizing fasciitis in an adult with Down syndrome

“…Adults with Down syndrome also experience several clinical complications, with a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, spinal cord compression, and cataracts . In addition, they are often affected by psychological disturbances such as dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), depression, and conduct disorder . The point prevalence of mental illness of any type (excluding specific phobias), diagnosed using clinical criteria, in adults with Down syndrome was reportedly 23.7% .…”

“…2 In addition, they are often affected by psychological disturbances such as dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), depression, and conduct disorder. 2,3 The point prevalence of mental illness of any type (excluding specific phobias), diagnosed using clinical criteria, in adults with Down syndrome was reportedly 23.7%. 4 Alzheimer's disease has prevalence rates of 0%-10%, 10%-25%, 28%-55%, and 30%-75% in Down syndrome patients in their thirties, forties, fifties, and sixties, respectively.…”