This study investigated how different nutritional and functional status indicators are associated with mortality in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A prospective cohort study was conducted among 79 community-dwelling older adults with AD. Follow-up was 60 months. Undernutrition status was evaluated by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), body mass index, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), calf circumference, and phase angle. Functional status was assessed by handgrip strength, and usual gait speed. Twenty-two participants died (27.8%). Results show that undernutrition (hazard ratio [HR] 5.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.21-14.61), weight loss (HR 3.82, 95% CI 1.37-10.63), underweight (HR 3.24, 95% CI 1.18-8.82), low MAMC (HR 4.54, 95% CI 1.65-12.48), calf circumference ≤ 31 (HR 4.27, 95% CI 1.63-11.16), low HGS (HR 3.11, 95% CI 1.18-8.17), and low gait speed (HR 4.73, 95% CI 1.68-13.27) were all associated with mortality. In conclusion, a poor nutritional and functional status was associated with a higher risk of mortality, regardless of sex, age, marital status, education, and cognitive function.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) and a psychomotor rehabilitation program on nutritional and functional status of community-dwelling patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A 21-day prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted and third intervention group performed a psychomotor rehabilitation program. Patients were followed up for 180 days. Mean (standard deviation) score of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) increased both in the nutritional supplementation group (NSG; n = 25), 0.4 (0.8), and in the nutritional supplementation psychomotor rehabilitation program group (NSPRG; n = 11), 1.5 (1.0), versus -0.1 (1.1) in the control group (CG; n = 43), P < .05. Further improvements at 90-day follow-up for MNA in NSG: 1.3 (1.2) and NSPRG: 1.6 (1.0) versus 0.3 (1.7) in CG ( P < .05) were observed. General linear model analysis showed that the NSG and NSPRG ▵MNA score improved after intervention, at 21 days and 90 days, was independent of the MNA and Mini-Mental State Examination scores at baseline ( Ps > .05). The ONS and a psychomotor rehabilitation program have a positive impact on long-term nutritional and functional status of patients with AD.

Aim: To investigate the association between nutritional and functional status of Alzheimer's disease patients and caregivers' burden.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 79 community-dwelling Alzheimer's disease patients living with their caregivers. Caregivers' burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden-Interview. Multinomial logistic regressions were carried out using caregivers' burden as the dependent variable.Results: Caregivers' severe overload was strongly associated with weight loss of more than 3 kg during the previous 3 months (OR = 7.34; 95% CI: 2.02-26.65), lower values of calf girth (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.03-9.93), sarcopenia status (OR = 3.50; 95% CI: 1.09-11.22), and lower gait speed values (OR = 3.83; 95% CI: 1.18-12.47). Otherwise, overweight or obesity (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05-0.83), was related to lower odds of higher caregivers' burden. Conclusion:In community-dwelling older adults with Alzheimer's disease, the nutritional and functional status impairments were strongly associated with increasing caregivers' burden, whereas overweight conferred protection.

Introduction: Dementia is a neurological disease mainly characterized by clinically significant cognitive deficit which includes memory. Behavioral changes may occur and lead to an autonomy loss and a decreased capacity to perform daily professional and social activities. Disease-related undernutrition leads to an increased number of clinical complications as with a negative outcome in the physical and psychological status. Hospitalization can worsen the status. The Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)® is the golden standard for nutritional status evaluation and it is validated for Alzheimer Disease (AD). Objectives: Undernutrition in AD patients has been also related to significant weakness, depression, increased susceptibility to other illness. Aims: Evaluate the Nutritional Status of the hospitalized elderly dementia patients in the Geriatric Ward-Hospital de Magalhães Lemos and it`s relation with calf circumference. Methods: Cross-sectional study made between February to May of 2011. Full MNA® was applied. Furthermore, the patients were subjected to weight, height, calf circumference and mid-arm circumference measurements and the body mass index was calculated. Results: 22 patients were evaluated of which 31.8 % were male and 68.2% female.Mean age was 74.9 (8.2) years.Full MNA® revealed that 45.5% of the elderly dementia people were at risk of malnutrition, 4.5% did not show nutritional risk and 50% was malnourished.The calf circumference equal or superior to 31cm showed to be more representative with 54.5%, while inferior to 31cm showed 45.5%. Conclusions: This study revealed the major importance of assessing the nutritional status and the need to use the calf circumference as a parameter for that evaluation.