Oral function and nutritional status among the elderly with facial and oral tactile hypersensitivity who are under long-term care

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  • SHIROBE Maki
    Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
  • NAKAYAMA Rena
    Department Orofacial Pain Management, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
  • HIRANO Hirohiko
    Dental and Oral Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital
  • OHARA Yuki
    Department Oral Health Care Education, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
  • ENDO Keiko
    Department Oral Health Care Education, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
  • WATANABE Yutaka
    Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
  • HAKUTA Chiyoko
    Department Preventive Oral Health Care Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

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Other Title
  • 顔面および口腔内の過敏症状を有する要介護高齢者の口腔機能および栄養状態に関する実態調査
  • ガンメン オヨビ コウコウ ナイ ノ カビン ショウジョウ オ ユウスル ヨウカイゴコウレイシャ ノ コウコウ キノウ オヨビ エイヨウ ジョウタイ ニ カンスル ジッタイ チョウサ

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Abstract

<p>Objective　In oral health care, a refusal action can cause difficulties, and tactile hypersensitivity (TH) may be a contributing factor. People with TH of the face and mouth clench their jaws. Despite numerous reports on TH among children with disabilities, reports on TH in the elderly who are under long-term care are scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate TH among the elderly who are under long-term care.</p><p>Methods　We selected 80 residents (8 men and 72 women; mean age: 91.1±6.2y) in a Tokyo nursing home and investigated the presence of TH in them. We also obtained patients' (1) basic information (sex, age, stage of long-term care needs (SCN), and the degree of independent living (IL)); (2) oral information (swallowing status, choking tendency, and intraoral residue); and (3) nutritional information (serum albumin (Alb) levels and body mass index (BMI)). We assessed the face (the forehead, cheek, and perioral area) and the intraoral environment (buccal mucosa, buccal cavity, and palate) as testing sites for TH, using the tester's palm and forefinger. We confirmed the presence of TH when the tested areas reacted partially or fully by shuddering. We classified the subjects into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of TH and analyzed our results using a chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. This investigation was approved by the Dentistry Ethics Screening Committee, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.</p><p>Results　A total of 18 residents were diagnosed with TH (22.5%). Significant differences in SCN, IL, choking tendency, intraoral residue, swallowing status, serum Alb levels, and BMI (P<0.05) were reported between this group and the non-TH group.</p><p>Conclusion　We demonstrated that residents with TH were in an advanced SCN and had a lower IL score and a decreased swallowing and nutritional status. Therefore, oral health care, promotion of nutritional status, and meal support are particularly important for the elderly with TH.</p>

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