高齢者の舌の厚さは栄養状態と関連

高齢者の舌の厚さは栄養状態と関連するという論文を紹介します。日本歯科大学の田村文誉先生の論文です。素晴らしいですね。

Tamura F, Kikutani T, Tohara T, Yoshida M, Yaegaki K. Tongue Thickness Relates to Nutritional Status in the Elderly. Dysphagia. 2012 Apr 27. [Epub ahead of print]

まだ抄録しか読んでいませんが、舌筋のサルコペニアを舌の厚さで評価しています。舌の厚さは中央部を超音波検査で2回測定して、平均値を出しています。結果ですが、年齢と上腕筋面積は独立して舌の厚さに影響を与えていました。低栄養は骨格筋だけでなく舌のサルコペニアにも影響するかもしれません。

全身のサルコペニアを認める高齢者では、四肢体幹の筋肉だけでなく、舌のサルコペニアも認めることが疑われます。舌のサルコペニアでも、筋トレ＋栄養療法の併用による治療が最も効果的ではないかと推測します。そんな介入研究をしたいなあと思う今日この頃です。

Abstract
Many elderly people under long-term care suffer from malnutrition caused by dysphagia, frequently leading to sarcopenia. Our hypothesis is that sarcopenia may compromise oral function, resulting in dysphagia. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sarcopenia of the lingual muscles by measuring the tongue thickness, and elucidate its relationship with nutritional status. We examined 104 elderly subjects (mean age = 80.3 ± 7.9 years). Anthropometric data, such as triceps skinfold thickness and midarm muscle area (AMA), were obtained. The tongue thickness of the central part was determined using ultrasonography. Measurement was performed twice and the mean value was obtained. The relationship between tongue thickness and nutritional status was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. AMA and age were identified by multiple-regression analysis as factors influencing tongue thickness. The results of this study suggest that malnutrition may induce sarcopenia not only in the skeletal muscles but also in the tongue.