The British Thoracic Society has published clinical statements on aspiration pneumonia and community acquired pneumonia in people with a learning disability to reduce what it calls a knowledge gap in a clinically crucial area. The clinical statements, which specifically cross-reference each other, provide practical guidance for clinicians and patients alike to avoid aspiration pneumonia being the “Cinderella of pneumonia”.
Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation and infection of the lungs caused by food or liquid being breathed into the lungs, instead of being swallowed. This differs from community acquired pneumonia, which is largely caused by breathing in pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. CAP is a major cause of death and a significant contributor to the increased risk of hospital admission observed in people with learning disability.
Lead author of the BTS Clinical Statement on Aspiration Pneumonia, Professor John Simpson, said:
“Aspiration pneumonia is a common and important clinical problem, particularly in older patients and in people with learning disability. Because there are excellent guidelines on community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia, and because aspiration contributes to the development of CAP and HAP, aspiration pneumonia has perhaps become the Cinderella of pneumonia.
“We hope this statement will raise the profile of, and increase interest in, aspiration pneumonia. Throughout, we have tried to emphasise the importance of preventing aspiration pneumonia, and to stress the value of an interdisciplinary approach to management.”