Abstract
Membranous substances are sometimes observed on the pharynx in persons requiring care with tube feeding, by endoscopic swallowing examination. The causes of such formation have not yet been identified. In this study, membranous substances sampled on the pharynx from people requiring nursing care were microscopically observed, the presence of epithelial components was confirmed, and an investigation was conducted regarding the causes of formation of membranous substances with epithelial components.
The subjects were 27 people （mean age 81.1±9.3 years old） requiring nursing care in hospital A, hospital B and nursing home C. In addition to investigating age, disorders, commonly used agents, degree of mobility （severity of bedridden state）, level of consciousness, presence of communication, ability of speech, and frequency of assisted tooth-brushing from hospital records, an evaluation was carried out on the gingival index. The presence of an open-mouth state as well as the degree of moisture retention of the mucous membrane of the tongue were also observed. Decision tree analysis was carried out with the presence of each membranous substance formation as the dependent variable.
The formation of membranous substances inside the pharynx was closely involved in the formation of membranous substances inside the oral cavity for persons requiring nursing care. Membranous substances inside the oral cavity on the pharynx were found to be associated with membranous substances inside the oral cavity. The causes of formation of membranous substances inside the oral cavity are reported to be tube feeding and xerostomia. This suggests that non-oral ingestion and dryness of the oral membrane are the causes of such formation. It is suggested that the prevention of oral dryness may prevent the formation of membranous substances on the pharynx.
