Persons with intellectual disability receiving psychiatric treatment

Determinants of (1) referral to psychiatric services and (2) the amount of mental health care consumed were analysed in a population of individuals with intellectual disability, using data from a cumulative mental health case register in a defined geographical area. Associations between level of disability, gender, age and social environment on the one hand, and psychiatric referral and service consumption on the other were expressed as odds ratios (ORs). Being older (OR= 1.9; 95% Cl = 1.5-2.5), having milder intellectual disability (OR = 1.4; 95% Cl = 0.9-2.3) and living alone (OR = 5.8; 95% Cl = 2.8-11.9) predicted a higher probability of receiving psychiatric treatment. Living alone (OR= 15.3; 95% Cl = 1.7-136.1) was also associated with higher level of mental health service consumption.