A new AI model has been developed to predict how long people with learning disabilities are likely to stay in hospitals and are likely to provide valuable insights that can improve care and resource planning. Ta.
Developed by computer scientists at Loughborough University as part of the “Decoding” project, the model aims to tackle the healthcare challenges faced by people with learning disabilities and multiple health conditions.
This group often has a lifespan of 20 years below the UK average, as it is likely that physical and mental health is poor and multiple chronic illnesses are likely to have multiple life expectancy. These factors increase the risk of preventable complications, reduced quality of life, and long-term hospital stays.
How AI models work
Researchers at Loughborough University have developed an AI model that can predict the length of hospital stay within the first 24 hours of hospitalization, using GPs and hospital data from over 9,600 patients with learning disabilities and multiple health conditions.
“This model generates predictions by assessing factors such as patient age, drug history, lifestyle and existing health status,” says Loughborough University healthcare expert and collaborators. Professor Georgina Cosma, an AI expert for decoding, explains.
“Early and accurate forecasting will allow hospitals to plan better, provide more personalized care and ensure fair treatment for all patients.”
The AI model was tested using a trained dataset and was 76% effective in distinguishing between patients who are likely to have longer hospital stays and patients who are discharged earlier.
Hospitalization trend
The AI model was also used to analyze hospital data to identify important reasons for hospitalization and health patterns in people with learning disabilities and multiple health conditions.
i got you:
Cancer is the main cause of hospitalization in men and women with learning disabilities and multiple health conditions, but the other biggest reason due to gender epilepsy is most frequently used during hospital stays in both men and women The condition being treated, but other main reasons vary by gender. On average, people with learning disabilities and multiple health conditions are hospitalized for 3 days, with stays longer than 129 days being treated for 4 days or more It is often associated with a mentally ill person: obesity or physically less active in underrepresented areas over the age of 50 is a condition that may result in health status, long-term history of stay, or long-term Has previous treatment conditions.
The top five main conditions and the top five general conditions treated or investigated during hospitalization of (a) men and (b) learning disabilities and women with multiple long-term conditions.
The importance of research
OBE, CEO of Jon Sparkes Disability Charity Mencap, welcomed the findings.
He states: “This study shows how AI can help address these vast inequalities by finding patterns and predicting resource needs.
“However, predictions are not enough. These insights will drive real-world change, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and ensure that people with learning disabilities receive timely, effective and personalized support. You need to.
“As the government develops its 10-year NHS plan, they use technology to prioritize health inequalities and ensure that health systems meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. It has to be.”
Next Steps
Using insights from this research and broader decoding projects, we support the NHS in the development of risk prediction algorithms, helping clinicians make decisions.
Dr. Satheesh Gangadharan, consultant psychiatrist for the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Decode co-investigators, said:
“While hospital care is an important part of health delivery, health interventions can be implemented early and people with learning disabilities can improve their care by exploring places where people with learning disabilities can improve their care. We are looking for ways to minimize the need.”
Data used to train AI models came from GPS and hospitals in Wales. As part of the next step, researchers are applying the model to a data set in a UK hospital to assess whether similar patterns appear in different populations.
Professor Thomas Jun, a sociotechnical system design expert at Loughborough University and a co-investigator at DeCode, said: It’s as effective as possible.
“We are also seeking additional funding for clinical trials to test how this personalized prediction tool reduces emergency hospitalizations and improves quality of life for patients with learning disabilities and multiple long-term conditions. ”
Read the complete research
The results of AI analysis and the development of predictive models are published in Digital Health’s Frontiers. The paper also provides a detailed description of the techniques used to reduce bias in AI models, ensuring fair and accurate predictions across ethnic groups.
“We are committed to providing a wide range of services,” said Emeka Abakasanga, Computer Science Research Associate at Loughborough University.
Additional Information: Decode
Decoding is one of seven consortiums funded by the National Institute of Health (NIHR) under the objective (Artificial Intelligence of Multiple Long Terms) program. For more information, check out the decoding website and the video below.
Notes for editors
Press Release Reference Number: 25/29
Loughborough is one of the nation’s leading universities with international reputation in key research, excellence in education, strong connections with industry, and unparalleled achievements in sports and its underlying academic fields.
He was awarded a five-star under the independent QS Star University rating scheme and was named the world’s best university in the 2024 QS World University Rankings, a sports-related subject.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in the UK’s Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League 2025, and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough has also been selected as the Sport of the Years of the Year for the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. This was awarded a famous title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked among the UK’s top 20 universities in the “tables” in Times Higher Education, and in the Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, more than 90% of research, “leading the world” Or was rated “international.” wonderful’. Recognizing its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queens Anniversary Awards.
Loughborough University London Campus is based on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers graduate and executive level education, as well as research and corporate opportunities. We have influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators, providing students with the best education and latest modern thinking.
