Effect of Oral Health Care on Swallowing Function and Swallowing-Quality of Life in Patients with Dementia

치매환자의 구강관리가 삼킴기능과 구강관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the status of oral health care in dementia patients living in long-term care facilities and to investigate the effects of this on swallowing function and swallowing-quality of life. The subjects were 60 demented patients who were admitted to long-term care facilities in Gwangju and Jeonnam provinces. Their Oral Health Assessment Tool(OHAT), Clinical Dysphagia Scale(CDS), and Oral Health Impact Profile 14(OHIP-14) were measured. The results of this study were as follows: First, the effect of oral health care on dentition patients using long-term care facilities on swallowing function and swallowing-quality of life was significantly different according to oral care score (p<.05)(p<.01). Second, the relationship between oral health care and swallowing function of dementia patients and swallowing-quality of life. was examined. As a result, oral health care of dementia patients was affected by swallowing function (r=.405, p<.01) the swallowing-quality of life (r=.462, p<.01) and swallowing function were significantly correlated with swallowing-quality of life (r=.351, p<.01). Therefore, the oral health care of users of long-term care facilities was closely related to swallowing function and swallowing-quality of life.

본 연구는 장기 요양시설에 거주하는 치매환자들을 대상으로 구강관리 실태를 평가하고 이것이 삼킴 기능과 구강건강관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향을 연구하였다. 광주, 전남에 위치한 장기요양기관에 입소한 치매환자 60명을 대상으로 구강관리, 삼킴곤란 임상척도와 구강건강관련 삶의 질을 측정하였다. 결과는 첫째, 장기요양시설을 이용하는 치매환자의 구강관리가 삼킴기능과 구강건강관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향은 구강관리 점수에 따라 삼킴기능과 구강건강관련 삶의 질에 각각 유의한 차이를 나타내었다(p<.05)(p<.01). 둘째, 치매환자의 구강관리, 삼킴기능과 구강 건강관련 삶의 질의 관계를 알아본 결과, 치매환자의 구강관리는 삼킴기능(r=.405, p<.01), 구강건강관련 삶의 질(r=.462, p<.01) 그리고 삼킴기능은 구강건강관련 삶의 질(r=.351, p<.01)과 유의한 상관관계를 나타내었다. 따라서, 장기 요양시설 이용자의 구강관리는 삼킴 기능과 구강건강관련 삶의 질에 매우 밀접한 관련을 나타내었다.