Adults with cerebral palsy are about
twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory
disease compared to adults without cerebral palsy, according to a new study led
by RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) and Brunel University London. The study
compared 1,700 adults with cerebral palsy and 5,000
adults without cerebral palsy to identify how many developed non-infectious
diseases, such as asthma or stroke. The research is published in the current
edition of NEUROLOGY.
Patients with cerebral palsy were overall 75% more likely to have
a non-communicable disease. After adjusting for other variables, the study
found that adults with
cerebral palsy were around twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease
and chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma, but not more likely to develop
diabetes or cancer.
Adults with cerebral palsy were specifically 2.6 times more likely
to develop heart failure, 5.5 times more likely to have a stroke, 2.2 times
more likely to develop asthma, 1.6 times more likely to develop hypertension
and 2.3 times more likely to develop ischaemic heart disease.
Globally, approximately 17 million people have cerebral palsy.
Although cerebral palsy was historically considered a paediatric condition, the
majority of children with cerebral palsy now survive into adulthood and many
adults with cerebral palsy have a near normal life expectancy.
Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition. However, at least a
quarter of young adults report that their ability to walk gets worse, which may
contribute to the development of chronic health conditions.
“Until recently, we did not know much about the consequences of
ageing with cerebral palsy. Our findings highlight the need for further
research into the management of non-communicable diseases in this population,” said Jennifer Ryan, the
study’s lead author and StAR Research Lecturer at RCSI and Senior Lecturer at
Brunel University London.
“Recent clinical guidelines for adults with cerebral palsy in the
UK recommended that pathways need to be developed that allow adults with cerebral
palsy access to a multidisciplinary team. However, adults with cerebral palsy
in Ireland lack access to co-ordinated multidisciplinary support.”
Being able to access health professionals,
such as physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons and neurologists with knowledge
of cerebral palsy early, may slow deterioration in the patient’s function and
prevent development of secondary conditions with age.
Dr Neil O'Connell, co-author, physiotherapist
and senior lecturer at Brunel University London said:
"Our results clearly emphasise the
importance of reframing how cerebral palsy is traditionally viewed; to
recognise that it is not simply a condition of childhood. Health services
should be designed and delivered with the aim of supporting people with
cerebral palsy to be healthy and active throughout their lives."
The
study was funded by the Brunel University London Research Catalyst Fund, and it
involved collaborators from Brunel University London, University of
Michigan-Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Aberdeen
Royal Infirmary, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, University of Surrey and Queen
Mary University London.
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