ABSTRACT
Background
Choking is a serious and under-recognised condition for adults with intellectual disability (ID), with health, psychological and potentially fatal consequences. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors for choking in a population-based sample of older adults with ID.
Method
597 adults with ID (mean age: 60 years old; SD = 8) were selected as part of The Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Information was collected on choking history, comorbidities, challenging behaviours and eating difficulties. Logistic regression was employed to determine risk factors for choking history.
Results
17.3% of participants reported choking history. Eating difficulties, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, being ≥ 65 years old and antipsychotic use increased the odds of choking history.
Conclusions
Choking is prevalent in our sample. Managing choking risk requires specific responsibilities from the multidisciplinary team. Risk assessment, training staff and caregivers should be implemented in usual care.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the people with intellectual disability who participated in this study, their families, carers, the services involved and the International Scientific Advisory Committee for their support. The views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Department of Health, The Health Research Board or Trinity College Dublin. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).