Osteoporosis, People with LDs & Reasonable Adjustments
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reasonable adjustments to provide equitable assessment, screening and treatment of osteoporosis for people with learning disabilities: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
203997
Contact name
Janet Finlayson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with learning disabilities (LDs) are not offered Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) bone scans as part of routine health care – DXA scans are the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis – and no programme of inclusive assessment and screening (with reasonable adjustments) for osteoporosis in people with LDs has been developed in Scotland/UK, although this is warranted. People with LDs are a high risk population for developing osteoporosis, due to a higher prevalence of risk factors which are more relevant to people with LDs (e.g. Down’s syndrome, anti-epileptic drugs, and immobility), and they are twice as likely to experience bone fractures, compared to the wider population. Osteoporosis can cause fractures.
People with LDs can experience barriers to accessing health care (e.g. lack of access for wheelchair users, and lack of accessible information in easy read/pictures format for those with communication difficulties). It is now a statutory requirement (UK Equality Act 2010) that health care providers – including osteoporosis services – make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure people with learning/disabilities have equity of access to their services.
The aim of this 12-month study is to work with 30 adults with LDs (and their carers’) in NHS Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who have one or more risk factor for osteoporosis; to identify and implement reasonable adjustments (e.g. provision of a hoist to transfer on to a DXA machine, and longer appointments for those who require them) for them to complete osteoporosis assessment, screening (DXA bone scan and vitamin D and calcium blood test), and treatment (where applicable), to learn how these processes can be tailored more inclusively towards people with LDs. Project findings with inform NHS clinical practice on reasonable adjustments, and the feasibility of a larger planned study, to determine actual prevalence of osteoporosis in people with LDs, and tailored risk assessment.
REC name
Scotland A: Adults with Incapacity only
REC reference
16/SS/0119
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion