Factors associated with comorbidities and body dysfunction in early-onset aging individuals with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To verify characteristically senile comorbidities and to analyze deficiencies in body functions and in activity domains in early-onset aging individuals with Down Syndrome (DS), related to the female and male sex. Methods: Quali-quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with a convenience sample. A semi-structured interview was carried out, and two questionnaires were applied to four therapy professionals who followed 37 individuals (21 men and 16 women) with DS. The data were processed using the R software, at a 5% significance level. Results: The analyzed sample has shown, under the perspective of sex, random behavior concerning the incidence of comorbidities, functionality decline and losses in performance and in their ability to carry out daily activities. Conclusion: This research findings have identified, regarding sex, a random incidence of comorbidities and characteristically senile systemic repercussions in prematurely aged individuals with DS, as well as functional and ability losses in daily activity domains, both in patients’ performance and abilities.