Establishment of the optimal administration method of medicine in patients with dysphagia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11283
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare (2023); Teikyo Heisei University (2019-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Tomita Takashi 国際医療福祉大学, 国際医療福祉大学三田病院, 教授 (00775950)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 嚥下障害 / 高齢患者 / 一包化調剤 / 服薬補助製品 / 口腔内崩壊錠

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The principal investigator discovered a medical problem in which the efficacy of an oral medication is weakened when the medication is taken with a thickening agent, which is commonly used for patients with dysphagia. Therefore, this study established the optimal dosing method for oral medications using thickening agents, as well as the optimal use of medication aids other than thickening agents when taking medications. In addition, this study conducted an oral administration study of oral medications in healthy adults and demonstrated that thickening agents attenuate the efficacy of oral medications.
The results of this study can be applied not only to patients with dysphagia but also to patients who have drug-induced dysphagia due to administration of antipsychotic drugs. Therefore, the social demand and social contribution of the research results are considered to be high.

Free Research Field

病院薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、高齢者を含む嚥下障害患者における服薬上の問題点を解決するために内用薬の至適投薬法を確立し、さらに、高齢患者が服薬と同時に栄養を摂取するための投薬法を検討した。本研究では、服薬時に栄養を補うための服薬補助食品として粘性が高いヨーグルト製品に着目し、内用薬を経口投与した動物実験でヨーグルト製品の有用性を評価した。また、一包化調剤時に問題となる調剤薬の吸湿を予防するための対策として、一包化調剤薬専用の保存袋を開発し、有効性を評価した。
上述した研究成果を踏まえ、本研究が高齢者を含む嚥下障害患者及び一包化調剤の対象患者における薬物療法の成績向上に大きな役割を果たすものと考えられた。