title: Clinical Study of Respiratory Function and Difference in Pneumonia History between Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia Groups.
abstract: [Purpose] This study compared respiratory function and differences in pneumonia history between Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia groups. [Subjects] Fifty-eight inpatients in the dementia treatment ward in a psychiatric facility were enrolled. [Methods] Patients underwent respiratory function testing twice using an 80-cm party horn. The Mini-Mental State Examination was also performed and motor functions were evaluated. Patient characteristics were obtained from medical records. [Results] Significant differences were noted between Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia groups in the ability to blow the party horn to full length, pneumonia history, and presence of impaired mobility. [Conclusion] Party horn evaluation may be useful for determining the risk of pneumonia in patients with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan.
authors.forename: Misako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higashijima
keywords: Aspiration pneumonia history; Dementia; Respiratory function