The George Institute for Global Health, Plot 839C, Road 44A, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 500033, India.
Res Dev Disabil. 2011 Mar-Apr;32(2):419-36. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.12.018. Epub 2011 Jan 13.
Intellectual disability is an extremely stigmatizing condition and involves utilization of large public health resources, but most data about its burden is based on studies conducted in developed countries. The aim of this meta-analysis was to collate data from published literature and estimate the prevalence of intellectual disability across all such studies. The review includes studies published between 1980 and 2009, and includes data from populations that provided an overall estimate of the prevalence of intellectual disability. Meta-analysis was done using random effects to account for heterogeneity. Sub-group analyses were also done. The prevalence of intellectual disability across all 52 studies included in the meta-analysis was 10.37/1000 population. The estimates varied according to income group of the country of origin, the age-group of the study population, and study design. The highest rates were seen in countries from low- and middle income countries. Studies based on identification of cases by using psychological assessments or scales showed higher prevalence compared to those using standard diagnostic systems and disability instruments. Prevalence was higher among studies based on children/adolescents, compared to those on adults. Higher prevalence in low and middle income group countries is of concern given the limitations in available resources in such countries to manage intellectual disability. The importance of using standardized diagnostic systems to correctly estimate the burden is underlined. The public health and research implications of this meta-analysis have been discussed.
智力残疾是一种极具污名化的状况，需要利用大量的公共卫生资源，但关于其负担的大多数数据都是基于发达国家的研究得出的。本荟萃分析的目的是整理已发表文献中的数据，并估算所有此类研究中智力残疾的患病率。本综述包括了 1980 年至 2009 年间发表的研究，并纳入了提供智力残疾总体患病率数据的人群研究。使用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析，以解释异质性。还进行了亚组分析。荟萃分析显示，纳入分析的 52 项研究中智力残疾的总患病率为 10.37/1000 人。估计值因来源国的收入组、研究人群的年龄组和研究设计而有所不同。在来自中低收入国家的研究中发现了最高的患病率。基于心理评估或量表识别病例的研究显示出的患病率高于使用标准诊断系统和残疾工具的研究。基于儿童/青少年的研究的患病率高于基于成人的研究。鉴于中低收入国家在管理智力残疾方面可利用资源有限，这些国家的高患病率令人担忧。强调了使用标准化诊断系统正确评估负担的重要性。本荟萃分析的公共卫生和研究意义已被讨论。
