Prevalence of nutrition disorders and nutrition‐related conditions in older patients with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

BackgroundsAlzheimer's disease is frequently encountered with nutrition‐related conditions such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty, overnutrition, and micronutrient abnormalities in older patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nutrition disorders and nutrition‐related conditions in the same patient group.MethodsA total of 253 older patients with Alzheimer's disease underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment, which included nutrition‐related disorders, malnutrition via the Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form (MNA‐SF), frailty via the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People‐2 criteria.ResultsThe patients' mean age was 79.8 ± 6.5 years, and 58.1% were women. In our patients, 64.8% had malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition; 38.3% had sarcopenia; 19.8% were prefrail; and 80.2% were frail. Malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia prevalence increased as the Alzheimer's disease stage progressed. Malnutrition was found to be significantly related with frailty scores via CFS (odds ratio [OR], 1.397; P = 0.0049) and muscle mass via fat‐free mass index (FFMI) (OR, 0.793; P = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age, MNA‐SF, and CFS were included in the model to detect the independent correlates of probable and confirmed sarcopenia. CFS was independently associated with probable and confirmed sarcopenia (OR, 1.822; P = 0.013; OR, 2.671; P = 0.001, respectively). Frailty was similarly related with FFMI (OR, 0.836; P = 0.031). Obesity was independently related with FFMI (OR, 0.688; P < 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, nutrition disorders and nutrition‐related conditions can present concurrently in patients with all stages of Alzheimer's disease; therefore, these frequent problems should be screened and diagnosed accordingly.

Lactose malabsorption and intolerance in older adults

“…The number of individuals older than 65 years is continuously growing worldwide, which requires to increase awareness on the complexity of the aging process, in order to improve understanding on main age-related disease mechanisms and support research for promoting healthy aging. Robust evidence indicates that modifiable risk factors, including physical activity and nutrition, can play a pivotal role in these contexts [ 2 ▪▪ , 3 ▪▪ , 4 , 5 ▪▪ , 6 ▪ , 7 ].…”

“…Regarding nutrition, studies have shown that different dietary components, such as carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, are instrumental in modulating the aging processes and the development of major chronic degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, sarcopenia, and dementia [ 2 ▪▪ , 3 ▪▪ , 4 , 5 ▪▪ , 6 ▪ , 7 – 9 , 10 ▪ , 11 ]. Despite this body of evidence, older adults remain at high risk of malnutrition [ 12 ] because of cognitive impairment, loss of appetite, dysphagia, and poor oral health that contribute to reduce intake of adequate amounts of nutrients [ 12 ], mainly in those living in residential care facilities [ 10 ▪ ].…”

The relationship between gender differences in dietary habits, neuroinflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease

“…In addition to malnutrition, loss of appetite and weight in persons with AD increases the risk of institutionalization and mortality ( Valotassiou et al, 2021 ). Further nutritional concerns in persons with AD include sarcopenia and frailty ( Unsal et al, 2023 ). In a recent study by Unsal et al (2023) , they aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional disorders in a sample of 253 persons with AD.…”

“…Further nutritional concerns in persons with AD include sarcopenia and frailty ( Unsal et al, 2023 ). In a recent study by Unsal et al (2023) , they aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional disorders in a sample of 253 persons with AD. In their sample, they found that 64.8% had malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition; 38.3% had sarcopenia; 19.8% were prefrail; and 80.2% were frail.…”

“…In their sample, they found that 64.8% had malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition; 38.3% had sarcopenia; 19.8% were prefrail; and 80.2% were frail. Furthermore, they determined that malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia prevalence increased as AD stage progressed ( Unsal et al, 2023 ). Another study by Ohta et al (2019) analyzed physical functions associated with sarcopenia and frailty in participants with AD ( n = 165) and MCI ( n = 84) and cognitively intact controls.…”