New research by Flinders University has uncovered a potential marker that could provide valuable insights into the overall health of older adults living in long-term aged care facilities.
Led by PhD candidate Sophie Miller in the College of Medicine and Public Health, the study—published in Age and Ageing—found that a simple swab from the back of the throat (the oropharynx) may offer clues about health challenges faced by aged care residents.
Identifying vulnerable individuals in later life has proven successful through measures of physical robustness, such as grip strength and other physical assessments.
However, this study suggests the inclusion of a biological marker, which may provide additional insight into the risk of poor health outcomes in aged care.
“As we age, the community of bacteria and other micro-organisms in our throat changes. Factors like taking multiple medications and having more frequent healthcare visits, which are common in later life, can affect this balance,” Miller said.
“These changes that occur with age may result in physiological shifts that increase vulnerability to diseases and frailty.”
The research involved the collection of oropharyngeal swabs from 190 residents of aged care facilities across metropolitan South Australia, and followed their health outcomes over 12 months.
One bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), an organism ordinarily associated with infections, was notably linked to poorer health outcomes.
Residents carrying this bacterium were found to be nearly 10 times more likely to die within a year compared to non-carriers.
“This discovery suggests the usability of the microbiome as an additional marker of identifying residents who may require extra care or monitoring,” Miller said.
The presence of S. aureus was found to reflect broader health challenges, rather than being linked to any specific infection.
