Medical Care for Adults With Down Syndrome

https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/care-adults-down-syndrome/research This past weekend, AHRQ observed World Down Syndrome Day. A new systematic review funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and conducted through AHRQ found that recent increases in lifespan among individuals with Down syndrome have contributed to knowledge gaps and a lack of appropriate care for adults with the condition. Investigators reviewed 36 studies on treatment interventions for adults with Down syndrome. Nearly half of the studies focused on dementia, primarily Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies examined obesity, behavioral conditions, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and vision problems. Research shows that adults with Down syndrome experience higher rates of certain health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnea, obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes, cataracts, leukemia, osteoporosis, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They also have lower rates of many solid tumor cancers, including breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer, and some cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the importance of tailored screening and treatment