Investigation of factors contributing to the current status of patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities and the relationships between those factors.

Abstract

We surveyed and statistically analyzed the current status of patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) to determine the relationships between factors contributing to SMID. Subjects were 135 patients with SMID living at A center between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Medical records were examined to determine the status of patients and logistic regression analysis was performed on 13 factors shown to be related to SMID from past studies and survey results. Analysis revealed 16 associations between factors, including an inverse relationship between cerebral palsy and epileptic seizures within the last year. In particular, Yokochi classification A1-C3, first or second stage of profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and epilepsy were statistically associated with a number of factors. Although it has previously been predicted that various factors are involved in incidence, status, prognosis and other aspects of SMID, evidence is severely lacking and no accurate epidemiological studies have been conducted on the topic. We intend to continue collecting evidence to verify the situation and establish indicators for individualized medicine for severely disabled children, and to link our findings to prognosis testing of epileptic seizures.