Use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in long-term care facilities in Japan: analysis of published national statistics

ABSTRACT

<b>Aim</b> To describe the current use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in long-term care national health insurance facilities (special nursing homes for the elderly, health service facilities for the elderly, and long-term health care facilities), and assess whether its prevalence increased or not between 2007 and 2010. <b>Methods</b> Based on data from the "Survey of Institutions and Establishments for Long-term Care" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, we calculated the prevalence of residents with PEG in each type of long-term care facility in 2007 and 2010. <b>Results</b> The prevalence of residents with PEG in 2007 versus 2010 was 5.8% versus 8.1% in special nursing homes for the elderly, 3.9% versus 5.9% in health service facilities for the elderly, and 18.4% versus 26.1% in long-term health care facilities. Among residents requiring level 3 or higher care, the prevalence of PEG increased in all three types of long-term care facility. <b>Conclusion</b> From 2007 to 2010, the use of PEG increased among residents of long-term care facilities requiring level 3 or higher care.