Abstract
BackgroundWith increasing age globally, more people may become vulnerable to food choking. We investigated the nationwide epidemiology of food choking deaths in Japan.MethodsUsing Japanese Vital Statistics death data between 2006 and 2016, we identified food choking deaths based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases code W79 (Inhalation and ingestion of food causing obstruction of respiratory tract) as a primary diagnosis. We assessed the demographics of people with food choking deaths; temporal trends of food choking deaths by the year (overall and by age group), the day of year; and prefecture variations.ResultsOverall, 52,366 people experienced food choking deaths (median age, 82 years, 53% were male, and 57% occurred at home). The highest numbers occurred January 1–3, and were lowest in June. Despite a stable total number of cases at around 4,000 yearly, from 2006 to 2016 the incidence proportion declined from 16.2 to 12.1 per 100,000 population among people aged 75–84 years. Among people ≥85 years, the incidence proportion peaked at 53.5 in 2008 and decreased to 43.6 in 2016. The number of food choking deaths varied by prefecture.ConclusionsThere are temporal and regional variations of food choking deaths in Japan, possibly due to the consumption of Japanese rice cake (mochi), particularly over the New Year’s holiday.
Highlights
The swallowing function of people deteriorates with age and older people are more likely to choke on food.[1,2,3] With increasing numbers and proportions of older people globally,[4] more people may become vulnerable to food choking
Japan has the highest proportion of older people worldwide,[4] and approximately 4,600 people died from food suffocation in 2018.5 Only a few studies have identified the characteristics of Japanese patients with choking incidents.[6,7,8]
A study based in one prefecture showed a higher incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to choking on Japanese rice cake during the first 3 days of the New Year.[8]
Summary
The swallowing function of people deteriorates with age and older people are more likely to choke on food.[1,2,3] With increasing numbers and proportions of older people globally,[4] more people may become vulnerable to food choking. Japan has the highest proportion of older people worldwide,[4] and approximately 4,600 people died from food suffocation in 2018.5 Only a few studies have identified the characteristics of Japanese patients with choking incidents.[6,7,8] Two studies based in single facilities reported higher incidences of choking on food among older people,[6,7] in January.[7] A study based in one prefecture showed a higher incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to choking on Japanese rice cake (mochi) during the first 3 days of the New Year.[8]. We investigated the nationwide epidemiology of food choking deaths in Japan
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
