Below are summaries of our Applied Health Research Question (AHRQ) reports. AHRQs are questions about health care in developmental disabilities that knowledge users in Ontario can ask of scientists from the H-CARDD team. The short summaries below will tell you a little about these projects, and you can click on the link below each summary for access to a more detailed description.
For more information on these projects, please contact hcardd@camh.ca.
Medication Use of Adults with Developmental Disabilities Living in Group Homes in Ontario
People sometimes need to take medications to control their health problems. However, taking lots of medications can have negative effects on the body, like feeling dizzy. This report looked at medication use in adults with developmental disabilities living in group homes. We studied 7,322 adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 years living in group homes in Ontario. Most of them (80%) took two or more medications, regardless of their age or the severity of their health problems. The most common medications were antipsychotics (drugs to help people with their moods and thoughts), sedatives (drugs to help calm the body and mind), and anticonvulsants (drugs to stop seizures and sometimes to control moods). Compared to adults with developmental disabilities as a whole, those living in group homes were more likely to take multiple medications. We need to make sure that adults with developmental disabilities living in group homes are not taking too many medications.
Quality Care in the Emergency Department for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Visiting the emergency department can be a stressful experience for adults with developmental disabilities, their families, and hospital staff. In this report, we wanted to understand why adults with developmental disabilities go to the emergency department. We looked at research that was done in other places. Compared to adults without developmental disabilities, adults with developmental disabilities were more likely to go to the emergency department and went more often. They went to the emergency department because of physical and mental health problems. They were more likely to go if they had mild disabilities, behaviour problems, or mental health problems. They were also more likely to go if they lived in neighbourhoods where people make less money or did not have a family doctor. This information should be used to improve emergency health care for adults with developmental disabilities.
Substance Use Among Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario
We know very little about whether adults with developmental disabilities use substances like drugs and alcohol. This report looks at substance use in adults with developmental disabilities. We studied 66,484 adults with development disabilities living in Ontario who were 18 to 64 years old. Six out of every 100 adults with developmental disabilities used substances. This finding tells us that more adults with developmental disabilities use substances than adults without developmental disabilities (nearly 4 out of every 100 persons). Most adults with developmental disabilities who used substances also had mental health problems. We also learned that adults with developmental disabilities who used substances were more likely than adults with developmental disabilities who did not use substances to be male and to live in neighbourhoods where people make less money. They were also more likely to have physical health problems like asthma (trouble breathing). These issues need to be considered when we plan services for adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario.
Aging Profiles of Adults With and Without Developmental Disabilities in Ontario
People with developmental disabilities are living longer. This report looks at the kinds of help that people with developmental disabilities need as they age. We studied 51,138 adults with developmental disabilities living in Ontario who were 18 to 99 years old. We think that by 2021, there will be twice as many adults with developmental disabilities who are over 64 years. We found that adults with developmental disabilities were more likely to use home care than adults without developmental disabilities. Many adults who used home care services also had care provided by family members. Some of these caregivers felt a high level of distress. Adults with developmental disabilities were also more likely to use long-term care. This report shows that we need to learn more about why adults with developmental disabilities need home care and long-term care.
Adults with Cerebral Palsy in Ontario: Characteristics and Health Issues
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects a person's to move. In this report, we wanted to describe the health experiences of adults with cerebral palsy. We studied 14,155 adults with cerebral palsy living in Ontario who were 18 to 64 years old. We compared them to adults with developmental disabilities (but no cerebral palsy) and adults in the general population. Compared to these two other groups, adults with cerebral palsy were more likely to be young and to be male. They were less likely than adults with developmental disabilities to live in neighbourhoods where people make less money. Like adults with developmental disabilities, they were more likely than adults in the general population to have physical and mental health problems. Among adults with cerebral palsy, those with both cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities were more likely to have mental health problems and less likely to have some physical health problems than adults with cerebral palsy only. This information can help improve services for adults with cerebral palsy.
Adults with Cerebral Palsy Literature Review: Physical and Mental Health Comorbidities and Health Service Use
People with cerebral palsy often have other health problems. This might be especially likely if they also have developmental disabilities. This report looked at the health experiences of adults with cerebral palsy. We looked at research that was done in other places. Most of the research was about people with cerebral palsy, not people with both cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. There were also very few studies about adults with cerebral palsy We found that adults with cerebral palsy had several physical and mental health problems. They were more likely to be sad (depression), to have violent behaviour (aggression), and to hurt themselves (self-injury). Those who were older and had milder disabilities were less likely to get check-ups to prevent illness (preventative care). Those who were older were also more likely to visit the hospital. Future research should look at whether adults with cerebral palsy and those with both cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities have even more health problems.
Emergency Department Visits at Sunnybrook Hospital by Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Aging Adults
We know very little about emergency department use in adults with developmental disabilities. In this report, we compared the emergency department use of adults with developmental disabilities who were 18 to 64 years old and adults without developmental disabilities who were 65 years and older. We studied 206 adults with developmental disabilities and 2,978 older adults without developmental disabilities who had at least one visit to the Sunnybrook Emergency Department in 2009. Compared to older adults without developmental disabilities, adults with developmental disabilities were more likely to be male, to live in neighbourhoods where people make less money, and to have mental health problems. They used the emergency department more often and were more likely to return to the emergency department within 30 days of their first visit. We need to try to decrease the number of emergency department visits that adults with developmental disabilities need to make.
Health Status and Care Utilization of Adults with Developmental Disabilities Living in Group Homes in Ontario
Adults with developmental disabilities living in group homes may have unique health needs. This report looked at their health experiences. We studied 7,322 adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 years living in group homes in Ontario. We compared them to adults with developmental disabilities as a whole, and adults without developmental disabilities. Compared to adults with developmental disabilities as a whole, they were older, but were less likely to live in neighbourhoods where people make less money. They had similar rates of mental health problems but were less likely to have physical health problems. Compared to adults with developmental disabilities as a whole and adults without developmental disabilities, they were more likely to visit their family doctor, specialists, and emergency departments. They were also more likely to be hospitalized for problems that could have been treated by their family doctor. These findings can be used to plan services for adults with developmental disabilities living in group homes.
Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Health Profiles and Service Utilization
Young adults with autism spectrum disorder may have unique health issues. This report looked at their health and healthcare use. We studied 5,095 young adults with autism spectrum disorder in Ontario between the ages of 18 and 24 years. We wanted to see how they are different or the same compared to 1) young adults with other developmental disabilities and 2) young adults without developmental disabilities. Compared to these other two groups, young adults with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to be young males. The income levels in the neighbourhoods they lived in were the same as those where young adults without developmental disabilities lived. Young adults with autism spectrum disorder were more likely than the other two groups to have mental health problems and to use mental health-related services. These findings can be used to plan services for young adults with autism spectrum disorders.