Association Between S‐ CARES Scores and Hospitalisation Due to Respiratory Infections in People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether S-CARES is associated with respiratory infection-related hospitalisation in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. METHOD: This single-centre retrospective study involved 103 people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (mean age: 36 years; males: 60). Two physical therapists assessed them using the S-CARES at baseline and after 1 year. The primary outcome was respiratory infection-related hospitalisation. Associations were examined using logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Risk stratification was evaluated using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Sixteen people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (15.5%) were hospitalised. Median S-CARES scores were higher in the hospitalised group (58.5 vs. 38.0; p < 0.001). Higher S-CARES scores were independently associated with hospitalisation (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.14; p = 0.005; area under the curve = 0.777). CONCLUSIONS: Higher S-CARES scores may help identify people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities at increased risk, supporting early intervention and resource prioritisation.