Young adults with learning disabilities nine times more likely to die from treatable causes, study finds

Young adults with learning disabilities are nine times more likely to die from treatable causes, a new study has shown.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have found that young adults aged 25-34 with learning disabilities are nine times more likely to die from treatable causes, compared to young adults in the general population.

The study, led by the team at the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory also found that, for adults of all ages with learning disabilities, the risk of premature mortality is three times higher compared with adults in the general population.

The stark findings demonstrate that the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities are particularly pronounced in young adulthood.

Published on Thursday in the BMJ Open, the study identified that adults with learning disabilities over 25 years old are dying, on average, 15 years younger than adults in the general population.

Lead author Dr Ewelina Rydzewska-Fazekas said: “Our research has found that adults with learning disabilities living in Scotland face a threefold-increased risk of premature death compared to adults without learning disabilities. Specific groups disproportionately affected include younger adults with learning disabilities, women, and those residing in areas with lower levels of deprivation.

“These findings highlight that the health inequalities experienced by adults with learning disabilities in Scotland are not primarily linked to older age or neighbourhood deprivation, but that other underlying factors may need to be addressed to improve life expectancy for this group.”

The study, which examined records of more than 14,000 adults aged over 25 with learning disabilities through linking data from Scotland’s Census 2011 and the National Records of Scotland Statutory Register of Deaths database, builds on earlier research by the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory which found that people with learning disabilities in Scotland die, on average, 20 years younger than the general population.

This new study identified that the most commonly-recorded causes of death which are avoidable and treatable included epilepsy, pneumonia, and conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction.

Dr Simon Webster, chief executive of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities said: “These important findings from the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory show that many people with learning disabilities are dying too soon, and that their early deaths could have been avoided.

“We need action now to prevent these avoidable deaths. Annual health checks can lead to healthcare that prevents health conditions from getting worse. The Scottish Government has committed to annual health checks for all people with learning disabilities in Scotland. We need health boards to act quickly to make sure that everyone with a learning disability is offered an annual health check.”

Researchers also found that Down’s syndrome was the most commonly recorded cause of death for adults with learning disabilities. This suggests that there is prevailing uncertainty about underlying causes of death among this population and highlights an urgent need to review the way that deaths are recorded for people with learning disabilities.

In response to the findings, social care minister Maree Todd, said: “The Scottish Government wants people with learning disabilities to live longer and healthier lives. The Scottish Government commissions the SLDO to undertake research on people with learning disabilities, with a particular focus on their health.

“This research provides vital insight into commonly recorded causes of death. The insights of this research will feed into the ongoing work on annual health checks for people with learning disabilities. Offering annual health checks is a big step towards improving the health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

“The Scottish Government issued National Directions requiring NHS Boards to deliver annual health checks to people aged 16 and over with learning disabilities. We are providing £2m annually to Boards for local implementation and we are delivering a programme of work to support this and to raise awareness amongst people with learning disabilities.”