202.12646837992.doc
CAPSAICIN CAN RETRIEVES AGE-RELATED SWALLOWING DYSFUNCTION
Kaori Nishikubo, Masamitsu Hyodo, Kazuyo Mise, Misato Ameya
Department of Otolaryngology, Kochi University Medical School, Japan
Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan
Introduction: swallowing dysfunction is an increasing problem in our aging population.
Aging causes swallowing dysfunction by deteriorating the nervous system and muscular
function accompanied with anatomical changes. A majorty of these patients have a func-
tional abnormality of the oral,pharyngeal,and esophageal stage of swallowing.Thus, aging
is one of a major risk factor of life-threatening aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, appro-
priate management for dysphagia in aged population is necessary. To develop therapeu-
tic management for it, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of
capsaicin administration for age-related swallowing dysfunction.
Materials and Methods: Ten healthy elderly volunteers who were not conscious of
swallowing dysfunction who showed decreased swallowing function examined by vi-
deoendoscopy, videofluorography and manometry participated in this study. They con-
sisted of 4 males and 6 females, and their ages ranged from 64 to 78 years with 70.0
years in average. b-
lets/day) for one month. Thereafter, their swallowing functions were reexamined by self-
reported questionnaire, videoendoscopy, videofluorography and manometry.
Results: The self-reported questionnaire and videoendoscopy showed general improve-
ment of swallowing function compare with before Administering. Videofluorography dem-
onstrated significant decline of the pharyngeal transition time of the bolus, although the
laryngeal elevation delay time was stable. Pharyngoesophageal manometric study
showed that widened upper esophageal sphincter zone has improved into normal range.
Discussion and Conclusions: These results showed that disturbed swallowing function
in elderly adults were improved by an administration of capsaicin troche. And these re-
sults supported the possible of therapeutic effectiveness of capsaicin troche for age-
related swallowing dysfunction.