Malnutrition is associated with dementia severity and geriatric syndromes in patients with Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to screen for malnutrition and geriatric syndromes and seek their associations in patients with AD.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) tests were applied. Mean daily oral fluid intake was assessed according to patients' and relatives' declarations.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients with a mean age of 79 ± 7.4 years were included. Most of the patients had mild or moderate dementia. Malnutrition was associated with increased rates of hospitalization and falls, dysphagia, insomnia, agitation, delusions, hallucinations, immobility, and incontinence. A daily fluid intake of < 1100 mL was associated with malnutrition risk. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed independent correlations of lower MNA score with lower ADL score, lower daily oral fluid intake, lower MMSE score, and female sex.

CONCLUSION

Dependency, inadequate fluid intake, advanced dementia stage, and female sex were independently associated with malnutrition. Malnutrition also seemed to be associated with sleep disturbances, psychological problems, immobility, falls, and increased hospitalization risk in these patients. Daily oral fluid intake may be a practical tool in the screening of malnutrition.