Mortality, life expectancy and causes of death of mildly mentally retarded in Denmark.

Based upon the nationwide Danish registration, all cases with ICD 8 diagnoses 310 and 311 were drawn; 71% lived outside institutions. 7,134 persons were studied for the period 1 January 1976-3 March 1984 and examined in the central register for death, emigration, etc. 5.86%, 446 died during the observation period from 1 January 1976 to 31 March 1984. Mortality tables show estimated survival probability at the end of the 5-year intervals and the life expectancy at the start of the age intervals. Only small differences were found when comparing differences of mortality for sex and residence (institutions or outside institutions). By a linkage study with the Danish Central Register for causes of death in the National Health Service of Denmark, the causes of death were obtained. For males of the age 15-64 an excess mortality of malignant neoplasms, of diseases of the respiratory system, of congenital malformations, and of accidents were found. For females the pattern was less significant.