Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia Using Black Pepper in Long-term Care Sanatoriums

Yamaguchi Gaku, Honda Hidetoshi, Honda Toshihiro, Ikeda Norihiko

doi:10.2468/jbes.69.13

<p>Various strategies have been reported for the prevention of aspiration, but these methods are not well established in long-term care sanatorium wards. This study focused on using black pepper as a method to prevent the occurrence of aspiration. Black pepper has been reported to improve the swallowing reflex by increasing the release of substance P in the pharynx to prevent aspiration. In this study, we examined whether black pepper alone is sufficient to reduce the risk of aspiration, thereby reducing antibiotic use and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Objective : Thirty-two of 35 patients admitted to the long-term care sanatorium of our hospital were enrolled in this study. Methods : The patients were divided into two groups. Black pepper was used for both groups by alternating the use of pepper between the two groups for 60 days each (total 120 days). During this period, we compared the incidence of aspiration pneumonia between the two groups by measuring fever incidence and antibiotic use. Results : Twenty-eight cases presented with fever exceeding 37.5°C. Eleven cases were diagnosed as aspiration pneumonia by X-ray film and respiratory symptoms lasting at least two days, and required antibiotic use. In the group that used black pepper, there were 11 fever cases and two cases requiring antibiotics, and the frequency and duration of antibiotic use were significantly suppressed. Conclusion : Black pepper serves as an inexpensive alternative that can easily reduce the use of antibiotics in a long-term care sanatorium.</p>

Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia Using Black Pepper in Long-term Care Sanatoriums

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