To identify people with ID, the authors searched for any code used by the QOF for learning disability and codes for conditions usually associated with ID, such as chromosomal and metabolic disorders. This approach identified 21 859 adults (aged ≥18 years) registered in 451 English practices for at least 1 day between 1 January 2009 and 31 March 2013. These individuals were matched based on age and sex from the same practice, with up to seven controls with no record of ID.
How this fits in
Although a number of initiatives in primary care have addressed the need to improve the health of people with intellectual disability (ID), there is limited information on their healthcare needs and general practice use. Practices, for their part, are expected to make reasonable adjustments to improve access to care for people with ID. Additionally, the high prevalence of epilepsy and severe mental health problems in people with ID requires effective access to specialist advice. Improving continuity of care and access to longer appointments are therefore important potential improvements in primary care. The results of this study will be helpful in planning and modifying general practice to meet the needs of people with ID and address concerns over the high level of potentially avoidable mortality.
This cross-sectional analysis reports on a subset of 408 practices that were providing high-quality data on 1 January 2012. A total of 14 751 people with ID aged 18–84 years who had been registered for at least 30 days on the 1 January 2012 date were included, along with 86 221 matched controls.
