Yonsei Med J.  2014 Jan;55(1):240-246. 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.1.240.

Effect of an Oral Hygienic Care Program for Stroke Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

• Kim EK
• Jang SH
• Choi YH
• Lee KS
• Kim YJ
• Kim SH
• Lee HK

• KMID: 1779912
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.1.240

Abstract

PURPOSE
The effects of an oral hygienic care program (OHCP) have been reported in several diseases. However, no study exists investigating the influence of an OHCP on stroke patients or patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been reported, thus we sought to investigate the potential effect of an OHCP.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-six consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the ICU were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention (29 patients) and control groups (27 patients). The OHCP included tooth brushing with an inter-dental brush and tongue cleaner and cleaning with chlorhexidine was administered to patients by one dentist once per day during admission in the ICU (mean, 2.2 weeks). The plague index, gingival index, clinical attachment loss, and colonization degree of candida albicans were assessed.
RESULTS
After OHCP, the plaque index, gingival index, and colonization degree of candida albicans in saliva showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to those of the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in clinical attachment loss and the colonization degree of candida albicans on the tongue (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our OHCP was effective in improving the oral hygienic status and periodontal health of stroke patients during their stay in the ICU. Therefore, we recommend administration of the OHCP for stroke patients during their stay in the ICU.

Keyword

Oral health promotion; stroke; intensive care unit

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Dental Plaque Index
Female
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Male
Middle Aged
Oral Hygiene/*methods
*Stroke

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Schematic flow of patient selection.

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