BTS Clinical StatementBTS Clinical Statement on the prevention andmanagement of community-acquired pneumonia inpeople with learning disabilityJulian Legg,Jamie-Leigh Allen,Morag Andrew,Charlotte Annesley,Michelle Chatwin,Hannah Crawford,Joanna Elverson,.Julian Forton,0Kate Oulton,Kate Renton,2.13 Alison Tavare,5 Hilary Tedd,5 A John Simpson.5Additional supplementalINTRODUCTIONService (NHS)to help improve the identifica-material is published onlineThis BTS Clinical Statement addresses theonly.To view,please visit thetion of people with learning disability.+journal online (http://dx.doirisk assessment,prevention and managementThe life expectancy of people with learning0rgy10.1136/th0rax-2022-of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)indisability is reduced compared with the general219698.people with a learning disability of all ages.Eachpopulation;only 37%of adults with learningFor numbered affiliations seesection is summarised with key clinical practicedisability live beyond 65 years of age comparedend of article.points.The recommendations made are basedwith 85%of the general population.on a comprehensive review of the publishedPneumonia is the most common cause of deathCorrespondence toevidence,where available and pertinent,but areamong adults with learning disability and is alsoDr Julian Legg:predominantly based on expert opinion aimeda common cause of death in CYP with learninguian.legg@uhs.nh怄ukat providing useful pragmatic guidance.disability,with bacterial pneumonia accountingLearning disability is the preferred term usedfor a significant proportion of these(adults 24%,in the UK to refer to individuals who havechildren 21%).'A further 16%of adult and 3%'significantly reduced ability to understand newof paediatric deaths in the learning disabilityor complex information,to learn new skills'population are caused by aspiration pneumoniaand a 'reduced ability to cope independently(AP).5which starts before adulthood with lastingCAP is a major contributor to the increasedeffects on development'.Individuals withhospitalisation risk that has been described forlearning disability represent a widely hetero-people with learning disability and results ingeneous group of people and can be associatedlonger hospital stays than the general popula-with a broad range of primary diagnoses andtion."People with learning disability also expe-comorbidities.2rience increased rates of repeated admissionThere is no definitive record of the numbersecondary to CAP7of people with learning disability in England.As CAP is a major cause of death in peopleHowever,Public Health England (PHE)with learning disability,prevention,early detec-estimates that in 2015 the population wastion and proactive management are key to1 087 100,including 930 400 adults (approx-reducing mortality from avoidable causes.s Itimating 2%of the adult population).Theis important that public sector organisationsestimated prevalence of learning disability inmake reasonable adjustments in their approachchildr
