Prevalence and risk factors of choking in older adults with intellectual disability: Results from a national cross-sectional study

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Choking
• asphyxia
• swallowing
• dysphagia
• adult
• intellectual disability

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).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Department of Health in Dublin, Ireland and managed by the Health Research Board in Dublin, Ireland. The funding bodies did not play a role in the study design or writing of the manuscript. The funding body has imposed no restrictions on free access to or publication of the research data.