What is the link between smoking, BMI and a diagnosis of Asthma in people with intellectual disabilities?
This study in Bristol set out to investigate the extent of smoking and higher than recommended BMI among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and a diagnosis of asthma. Data relating to asthma, smoking habits and body mass index (BMI) from a three year period were provided from GP practice registers for all patients with ID over 16. Data was received for 1097 patients. 132 had a diagnosis of asthma, equivalent to overall prevalence rate of 12%, as against 5.97% (for all ages) in the general population within the same PCT area. The prevalence was found to be highest among the youngest patients, (16–24). 75% of those with asthma were found to have at least one other physical or mental health problem. (e.g. epilepsy, cerebral palsy, diabetes, autism, behaviour difficulties) 17.3% were current smokers. Patients with asthma were significantly more likely to smoke than patients who did not have asthma. 35.7% of men diagnosed with asthma were current smokers, nearly double the rate reco
