カプサイシン軟膏による外耳道刺激は高齢認知症患者の肺炎を予防する

Abstract

Abstract Objective In the present study, we examined the effects of daily application of capsaicin ointment to the external auditory canal for 6 months on the development of pneumonia in elderly dementia patients at high risk of aspiration. Methods Twenty-nine oldest-old bedridden dementia inpatients at high risk of aspiration were enrolled in the present study. Ointment containing 0.025% capsaicin was applied to each external auditory canal with a cotton swab alternatively once a day for 6 months. Results The incidence of pneumonia during the 6 months before the intervention was 1.80 ± 0.37 in these patients. However, this incidence significantly decreased to 0.40 ± 0.29 (p Conclusion These findings suggest that daily long-term aural stimulation with capsaicin ointment enhanced the cough reflex via Arnold’s ear-cough reflex as a glottis protective measure, resulting in the reduction of incidence of pneumonia in elderly dementia patients at high risk of aspiration. The daily aural stimulation with capsaicin ointment may be a safe and promising intervention to prevent aspiration pneumonia in elderly people, especially those who cannot undergo swallowing exercise.