The Salivary Secretory IgA (SIgA) Concentration in Geriatric Bedridden Residents in a Long-term Health Care Facility is higher than that in Community-dwelling Older People

Nawaze S, Morizono K and Bohagar S

Published on: 2024-10-19

Abstract

The immune system declines in efficiency with advancing age, making older people less resistant to pathogenic microorganisms. The role of mucosal immunity in the defense against pathogens is well established. However, there is limited research on the relationship between salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration, activities of daily living (ADL), and cognitive function, particularly among geriatric residents of long-term health care facilities and community dwelling older people. For this, the cognitive functions and SIgA concentrations of 14 bedridden residents in a long- term health care facility were compared with those of 9 community dwelling older people in Japan. The bedridden residents group had lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores indicative of moderate cognitive impairment, and community dwelling older people had significantly higher SIgA concentrations. Enhanced dedicated care of mobile or partially mobile geriatric residents may be instrumental in infection prophylaxis.