Patients of different age groups have difficulty taking medications. Using the Japanese version of the PILL-5 assessment tool (PILL-5), we investigated patients with pill dysphagia and the degree of improvement with deglutition aids. Moreover, we investigated the factors, such as the position of the jaw, sex, and choking on water, associated with pill dysphagia.
A total of 586 patients from 10 hospitals and 6 pharmacies aged 18 – 85 years, who were on regular self-administered medications and ate regularly, were included in the study. Out of 17 patients (2.9％) with pill dysphagia who had a total score ≥ 6, 6 showed considerable improvement in their PILL-5 total score and throat and chest tightness using deglutition aids. Notably, 81 patients (13.8％) with potential pill dysphagia had a PILL-5 score ≥ 2 for any one of the five items. Patients with pill dysphagia and potential pill dysphagia highly related with choking while taking pills (OR = 9.45, P < 0.001). Factors associated with patients having choking were < 65 years old (OR = 1.93, P = 0.031) and jaw position upward (OR = 2.31, P = 0.013).
Patients with pill dysphagia, and those with potential pill dysphagia identified as choking on water while taking medicines and the position of their jaws. Therefore, supporting pill dysphagia at an early stage is necessary.
