横井 美有希

ABSTRACT Objective We aimed to examine the effects of oral care in patients with terminal cancer approaching death. Background Patients with terminal‐stage cancer often experience symptoms like oral dryness and candidiasis. Previous studies showed that without professional dental care, oral hygiene significantly worsens within 3 weeks before death. Therefore, oral management is essential for patients with terminal cancer. However, the specific effects of oral hygiene in these patients remain unclear. Material and Methods Twenty patients were admitted to two palliative care units at our institution between June 2022 and May 2023 and received oral care multiple times before death. Oral hygiene was assessed using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and oral dryness was evaluated with an oral moisture checker. The Face Rating Scale (FRS) was assessed before and after professional oral care. Results During the week of death, the number of people who were able to speak and follow instructions decreased, while the number who used sedatives and oxygen increased. There was no significant difference in the degree of oral dryness before oral care between the time of hospitalisation and the week of death. However, oral dryness improved significantly after oral care at admission (before: 21.0 ± 8.3, after: 26.7 ± 3.2) and the week of death (before: 16.8 ± 8.4, after: 25.8 ± 3.7). There was no difference in the time taken for oral care or FRS scores at admission and the week of death. Conclusion Continuous oral care in patients with terminal cancer can prevent worsening oral hygiene and maintain moisture.

ABSTRACT Background There is growing interest in the relationship between oral function and lifestyle‐related diseases. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the associations between the results of oral function tests and those of blood tests for lipid abnormalities, glucose metabolism and kidney function. Methods A total of 118 individuals aged ≥ 50 years (80 men and 38 women) who had undergone health check‐ups at our hospital in 2021 and 2023 were examined. Based on the fasting blood glucose (GLU), HbA1c, high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), low‐density lipoproteins (LDL), urea nitrogen (BUN) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values obtained from the health check‐up results; the subjects were divided into two groups: those with test values outside the reference range in 2021 and/or 2023 and those with test values within the reference range. The results of seven oral function tests were compared between the groups using the Mann–Whitney U test. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The group with GLU and HbA1c values outside the reference ranges had significantly lower numbers of remaining teeth (RTN) and oral diadochokinesis (OD) values compared to the group within the reference range. The groups with HDL and LDL values outside the standard ranges had a significantly higher tongue coat index (TCI) and significantly lower OD. Significant differences in TCI and OD/ta/ /ka/ were observed between BUN groups within and outside the reference range. Likewise, significant differences in TCI, RTN and OD/ta/ /ka/ were observed between eGFR groups within and outside the reference range. Conclusions Subjects with blood test values outside the reference range exhibited a decline in oral function, indicating that a decline in oral function might increase the risk of lifestyle‐related diseases and facilitate the progression of frailty.