高齢者に対する心身医学的アプローチの臨床統計的検討

抄録

We investigated the clinical statistics of elderly persons needing a psychosomatic approach from October 1996 to August 1999.
The following results were obtained:
1) In the distribution by sex, women accounted for 78.7% of the total. By age, there were many patients in the 65 to 70 bracket and the numbers decreased with higher ages.
2) In the clinical diagnosis, glossodynia was most frequent with 12 cases 26%, followed by oral psychosomatic disease (7 cases), arthrosis of the tempolomandibular joint and illfitting dentures (6 cases each), suspected ostitis and osteomyelitis, xerostomia, ptyalism, abnormal gustatory sensation and others.
3) Regarding the psychological background, a depressive condition or depression was found in 19 cases (40%) and neurosis in 18 cases (38%), making the proportions equivalent.
4) Regarding the method of treatment, only brief psychotherapy was used in 18 cases, brief psychotherapy, the administration of antidepressant and minor tranquilizer in 14 cases, brief psychotherapy and the administration of antidepressant in 6 cases, brief psychotherapy and dental treatment in 3 cases, and others in 6 cases.
5) Liaison consultation therapy with psychiatrist and neurologist were carried out in 11 cases (21%).
6) In the course of treatment, both physical and psychological signs and symptoms were reduced in 26 cases (55%), and disappeared in 11 of these. Interruptions were observed in 10 cases. No reduction was observed in 6 cases and 5 cases were referred to psychiatrists etc.
From these results, we conclude that it is necessary to establish appropriate psychosomatic dental medical science for use with elderly persons in our rapidly aging society.