A national cohort study of spiritual and religious practices of older people with intellectual disability.

Spirituality and spiritual support for older people with intellectual disability are deemed important, however little is known about their specific needs. This paper reports for the first time on the religious and spiritual practices of older adults with intellectual disability. A national longitudinal study examined the prevalence of spiritual practices among older people with intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland.

People with intellectual disability have increased risk of exposure to and adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).They also face challenges to mental health and well-being from COVID-19-related social restrictions and service closures. Data from a supplemental COVID-19 survey from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) (n=710) was used to assess outcomes from the first infection wave of COVID-19 among adults with intellectual disability aged 40+ years in Ireland.

Overweight/obesity and chronic health conditions in older people with intellectual disability in Ireland.

Background: This study examines overweight/obesity and chronic health conditions (CHCs) in older people with intellectual disability (ID).

Methods: Data for this cross-sectional observational study emanated from Wave 2 of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a longitudinal study assessing the health and well-being of older Irish adults with ID aged ≥40 years across all levels of ID. Participation involves an interview process and collation of objective health measures.

The impact of COVID-19 on people ageing with an intellectual disability in Ireland: Protocol for a follow-up survey.

:  The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have had a dramatic impact on many people, but individuals with an intellectual disability, given the prevalence of congregate living and high levels of co-morbid conditions, may be particularly vulnerable at this time. A prior initial survey of participants of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) found that, despite a majority of participants being tested, only a small proportion had tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, despite some reporting positive aspects to the lockdown, a similar proportion were experiencing stress or anxiety during the pandemic.

The relationship between antiepileptic drug load and challenging behaviors in older adults with intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may affect mood and behavior in people with epilepsy and intellectual disability. A high AED load, derived from AED polytherapy and/or high doses of AEDs, has been suggested to be a risk factor for behavioral side effects. Data were drawn from Wave 3 of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA).

The impact of COVID-19 on the social inclusion of older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland.

Background: Social restrictions and service closures from COVID-19 have negatively impacted social inclusion and well-being for some people with intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Methods: The fourth wave of a national longitudinal study on ageing in people with ID in Ireland was interrupted during the COVID-19 outbreak. Social inclusion data for pre-existing participants interviewed before COVID-19 (n = 444) were compared with data for pre-existing participants interviewed during/after lockdown (n = 62).

Antiepileptic drugs, occurrence of seizures and effect of co-administration of potential seizure threshold-lowering psychotropic drugs in adults with intellectual disability who have epilepsy.

Background: This study explored antiepileptic drug use, frequency of seizures, and the effect of psychotropic drugs with the potential to lower the seizure threshold in persons diagnosed with epilepsy and intellectual disability.

Methods: Data for this study were drawn from Wave 3 of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA). Psychotropic drugs were categorised for potential seizure threshold-lowering risk (low, moderate, high).

Optimization of fed-batch fermentors by iterative dynamic programming.

By using penalty functions to handle state constraints, iterative dynamic programming can be used in a straightforward manner for the optimization of fed-batch fermentors. No computational difficulties were encountered and better results are obtained than previously reported in the literature for a fed-batch fermentor for biosynthesis of penicillin.