Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Institutionalized Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for low bone mineral density in persons with developmental disabilites who reside in an institiutional setting. With the assessment of risk factors we hope to establish protocol for 1) identifying high risk persons and 2) prevention of low BMD. A cross-sectional study was conducted to gather data from client charts, pharmacy records, dietary records, Data were collected on 69 participants. Thirty-nine were male and 30 were female. Ages ranged from 19 to 67 years with only 10 of the participants being over 55 years old (mean age = 45.58 , SD = 11.52). Sixty-six of the participants were ambulatory. All were diagnosed with varying levels of intellectual disability, with 35 being classified with Profound Mental Retardation. Ultrasound BMD measures ranged from a t score of 2.0 to -3.0. Thirty-six participants (52.2%) were classified as healthy BMD, 22 (31.9%) as osteopenic, and 11 (15.9%) as osteoporotic.