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Health in Adults with Cornelia de
Lange Syndrome
Dr Jane Law
NSW Developmental Disability Health Unit
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Overview
• Comprehensive Health Assessment -what is
involved
• Common health problems
• Preventative measures
• Screening
• Adult CdLS clinic – brief look
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Characteristics of health conditions
in people with ID
• Many health conditions in people with
intellectual disability are:
– Multiple - multiple conditions seen at younger age
than in general population
– Complex
– Chronic – and occur at younger age than in general
population - e.g. dementia, osteoporosis
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Preventing health problems
• Many of these problems are more common or become worse with ageing
• Communication difficulties can make it difficult for people with developmental disability to recognise and communicate pain, discomfort and other symptoms of ill health
• Identifying these problems therefore often requires screening (testing) of people with developmental disabilities
• Being aware of these conditions enables treatment or prevention of further disease
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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The Health Assessment.
• What are they?
• How often and what should this involve?
• History
• Examination
• Investigations
• Diagnosis
• Recommendations
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Assessment of Adult with CdLS
• Full diagnostic workup
- differential diagnosis of problems
- assessment of co-morbidities
• This will identify areas to be addressed in a
management plan
• Evaluation of current and future treatments
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Comprehensive medical assessment
• There could be any number of morbidities but a systematic approach and mindfulness of common causes particularly in those with ID/CdLS will mean less likely to miss a physical cause.
• General practitioner
• General physician (endangered species)
• Geriatricians/rehabilitation physicians
• Clinics specialising in medicine of people with intellectual disabilities. Developmental Paediatricians
Developmental disability physician
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Clinical History
• Informants
-Patient (acquiescence and suggestibility)
-family members (background, bias,
selectivity)
-support workers/advocates (as above)
• Old notes and documents
• Clinicians: Specialists and allied health workers
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Make the most of your Medical visits:
• Book a long appointment
• Attend with knowledgeable support person
• Find out if the surgery and the examination table
are easy for you to access
• Before the visit, write down all the questions you
want to ask and issues you would like to discuss
• Take all your current medications and a record
of your medical history
• Bring patience, picnic, change of clothes
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Medical examination
• Medical examination
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Medical examination
• Physical examination: specific or general
• Full medical examination = clothes off.
• Mental /Psychological assessment
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Investigations
• Blood tests: FBC, Fe studies, biochemistry,Lipids glucose, Hepatitis serology,TFT. B12, folate, Vit D H Pylori serology or breath test.Karyotype/CGH Array and metabolic screen
• Urine for microscopy and culture
• ECG/echocardiography
• Imaging: u/s, Xray, CT, MRI
• Bone densitometry
• Screening tools developed for people with ID
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Management
• Specific problems
• Screening – following standard protocols
• Women’s health
• Men’s health
• Preventative measures
• Immunisations
• Lifestyle modification
• Environmental changes
• Behavioural management
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Conditions to be aware of in older people
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Vision / hearing problems
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis/vitamin D def.
• Falls
• Dental problems/tooth loss
• Poor nutrition
• Impaired immunity
• Urinary incontinence
• Constipation
• Hypothyroidism
• Skin fragility
• Depression
• Dementia
• Polypharmacy / iatrogenic
illness
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Behavioural concerns
• Underlying physical problems (eg pain,
discomfort, thyroid disease)
• Environmental factors (eg change of carer,
loss of family or friends due death, illness or
moving away)
• Management:
– Behavioural +/- medications
– Referral to a psychologist
– Referral to a psychiatristJane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Mental Health Issues in PWID
• Self injurious behaviours
• Autism/autism spectrum disorder
• Depression
Challenging behaviours Psychiatric illness
Physical illness
Psychosocial problems
All of the above.
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Medical Conditions common to PWID
• Epilepsy
• Respiratory problems
• Oral health – poor dentition
• Malnutrition
• Musculoskeletal - osteoporosis
• GIT
– GORD +/- H.pylori infection
– Constipation
– Surgical
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Sensory impairment
• Vision impairment 7 times higher than general
population ( Warburg 1994)
• Catarcts are common and can present with behavioural changes
• Includes problems with near vision or far vision
• Degenerative changes (ie worsen with time)
• Deafness 11 times higher than general
population
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Prevention - Sensory
Vision impairment• Routine assessment by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or optomotrist
every 5 years from age 45 years is recommended.
• Obviously if there is an existing vision problem more frequent reviews may be necessary
Hearing• Formal hearing test every 5 years from age 45 years (or earlier if
there appears to be problems)
• The Australian Government Hearing Services Program: • Phone: 1800 500 726
• Office of Hearing Services Website: www.health.gov.au/hear
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Iatrogenic
Toxins
Alcohol
Lead
Arsenic
Mercury
Cannabis
Prescription Drugs
Anticonvulsants
Antipsychotics
Sedatives
Antidepressants
Lithium
Polypharmacy
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Prevention – medication problems
• Review by GP of all medications every 3-6 months
• Webster packs and dosette boxes are important particularly when there are multiple carers and support staff
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Life expectancy in people with
intellectual disability
• Life span increasing but still less than
general population
– up to 20 years less (Bittles et al. 2002)
• Mild intellectual disability & few medical
problems – near average life expectancy
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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CdLS Clinic
• 2-4 clinic days a year
• Comprehensive medical assessment
– Specific complaints
– Screening – following standard protocols
– Prevention
– Assist in coordinating patients care locally
• Initial appointment 2hours with a 3month follow-up
• Annual medical reviews offered at DDHU
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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CdLS Clinic
• 15 patients seen
-14 CdLS diagnosed prior to initial visit
-One patient did not have CdLS – CHARGE syndrome
-One new diagnosis made
- 2 patient with features suggestive of CdLS at general clinic
• Outreach consultation days –Melbourne = 7 consultations
– Adelaide = 10 consultations
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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CdLS Clinic at Health Unit
• 9 female 6 male with CdLS
• Age range 13years – 47 years Average: 28.7yrs
• 4 patients - Genetic diagnosis confirmed
11 patients – no genetic diagnosis
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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CdLS Clinic
Level of Intellectual Disability
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
Mild, 1
Moderate, 2
Severe , 9
Profound , 3
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Clinic patients cont.
• Main clinical problems
Behavioural concerns
GORD
Constipation
Vision
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Weight of Patients with CdLS
• Weight
– Underweight = 3
– Healthy weight range = 10
– Overweight = 2
• The 2 patients PEG fed in healthy range
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Clinic patients -Challenging behaviours
• Sleep disturbances – 5 patients
• Self-injurious behaviours – 12 patients
o head banging
o wrapping
o skin picking/scraping
• Ritualistic/ocd = 9 patients
• Aggression = 6 patients
• Stripping = 3 patients
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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General impressions at clinic
• GIT symptoms are ongoing• GORD
• CONSTIPATION
• Nutrition well attended
Women normal menstruation
• Vitamin D levels from 7 patients from initialblood tests
– Normal = 4 patients
– Mild insufficiency between 40-50ng/mil = 3 pts
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Summary
• A requirement for the
diagnosis or exclusion of
a medical or psychiatric
condition requires a
comprehensive medical
assessment and the use
of appropriate
assessment tools specific
to the population of
people with intellectual
disability.
• Gastrointestinal
• Neurological
• Epilepsy / trauma
• Osteoporosis and #
• Sensory impairment
• Endocrine disorders
• Toxins
• Nutritional disorders
• Infection
• Cardiovascular disease
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Health Guidelines
• Developed by the Physical Health Special
Interest Research Group of the International
Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual
Disability (IASSID)
• Ratified by WHO in 2006
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Acknowledgements
• CdLS Association
• NSW DDHU
• CDS
• Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney
• My patients, their families and carers.
Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011
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Jane Law - NSW DDHU - CdLS
Conference 2011