Authors

  1. Lauer, Emily MPH
  2. Lindgren, Scott PhD
  3. Momany, Elizabeth PhD
  4. Cope, Tara MS
  5. Royer, Julie MSPH
  6. Cogan, Lindsay PhD
  7. McDermott, Suzanne PhD
  8. Armour, Brian PhD

Abstract

Limited existing evidence suggests that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience substantial disparities in numerous areas of health care, including quality ambulatory care. A multistate cohort of adults with IDD was analyzed for patterns of inpatient admissions and emergency department utilization. Utilization was higher (inpatient [RR = 3.2], emergency department visits [RR = 2.6]) for adults with IDD, particularly for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (eg, urinary tract [RR = 6.6] and respiratory infections [RRs = 5.5-24.7]), and psychiatric conditions (RRs = 5.8-15). Findings underscore the importance of access to ambulatory care skilled in IDD-related needs to recognize and treat ambulatory care-sensitive conditions and to manage chronic medical and mental health conditions.