[Effect of size of tablets on easiness of swallowing and handling among the frail elderly].

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of the size of tablets on the status of swallowing and handling during taking medicine among frail elderly persons.

METHODS

The subjects of the present study were 73 frail elderly persons. After they conducted simulation taking medicine, they determined the desirable size of tablets using subjective evaluation. Their behavior and the time required for the simulation were examined. We also evaluated their activities of daily living using the ADL20, and swallowing ability using the repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in behavior during taking medicine between the frail elderly with low swallowing ability and other subjects with normal swallowing ability, that is, the elderly persons with low swallowing ability tend to swallow three tablets after several trials (p<0.05). Also, the required time for simulation taking medicine was related significantly to the size of tablets (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The most desirable size based upon easiness of swallowing and handling is 7-8mm. These results suggest that medicine taking behavior was influenced greatly by the decline of swallowing ability and ADL, and the prescriptions for the frail elderly are needed to meet their swallowing ability.