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Adults with learning disabilities are much more likely to experience respiratory problems, compared with the wider population, and this can lead to serious illness or death. These
respiratory conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), poorer measured lung function, and dysphagia with risk of pneumonia. As a result, respiratory diseases
are the leading cause of death in this group. People with serious respiratory conditions can experience a potentially dangerous drop in oxygen saturation without having clinically obvious
breathing problems. This includes Covid-19, which as we know is an infectious disease, which can cause life-threatening respiratory illness. Using pulse oximetry to detect low oxygen levels
in people with serious respiratory conditions can avoid severe complications, such as pneumonia and death and may particularly benefit adults with learning disabilities, who can experience
difficulties communicating discomfort or ill health. Adults with learning disabilities have been especially at risk during the coronavirus pandemic due to their compromised or vulnerable
respiratory status. > "The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of > respiratory health monitoring and the role of pulse oximeters" Researchers at Glasgow
Caledonian University (Dr Janet Finlayson and Dr Nicola Roberts) and the University of Oxford (Dr Valeria Frighi) are inviting carers of adults with learning disabilities in Scotland to join
a research study to determine whether they find pulse oximeters useful and effective for home use. Almost half of UK adults with learning disabilities live at home with their families, so
the focus is on parents or family carers who are caring for their loved ones at home. The study will look at their experience of using pulse oximeters to monitor the respiratory health of
relatives with learning disabilities in their care. During the pandemic, national health boards in the UK have been distributing pulse oximeters for home use to patients in the general
population. However, there are two reasons why home use of pulse oximeters for adults with learning disabilities warrants special attention. Because adults with learning disabilities
experience respiratory health problems more commonly, the baseline for their oxygen saturation level is more likely to be ‘below normal', meaning NHS pulse oximetry guidelines for the
wider population may not be as suitable for this group. This study will determine what proportion of the sample of adults with learning disabilities have lower baseline levels. Previous
research on carers has found that pulse oximeter use at home can increase confidence but can also be a source of panic or worry. However, there has been no research into the specific
experiences of people caring for adults with learning disabilities and this study aims to address this. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of respiratory health
monitoring and the role of pulse oximeters in this. It has also shown up the urgent need to monitor and promote the respiratory health of vulnerable groups, including adults with learning
disabilities. The researchers for this study have secured funding from the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund to conduct research in this important area for adults with learning disabilities who
may be particularly at risk. If you know or work with someone who cares for/supports a relative with learning disabilities at home in Scotland, who might like further information about this
study, please contact Dr Janet Finlayson ([email protected]; tel: 0141 331 3083). _Dr Nicola Roberts is senior lecturer at the Department of Nursing and Community Health School and
affiliated to the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), Glasgow Caledonian University_