Weight loss in alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Weight loss is commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease and is an accepted symptom of the clinical diagnostic criteria in current use. It is, however, unclear as to whether disease or dietetic factors are responsible for the causation of weight loss. Difficulty also arises due to variability in clinical diagnostic criteria used in defining Alzheimer's disease and clinical heterogeneity with respect to weight loss. This review examines the evidence available for weight loss in Alzheimer's disease and the possible explanations for this.

Special acute care unit for older adults with Alzheimer's disease

“…When looking at nutritional status, previous studies show that patients suffering from AD systematically experience greater weight loss than patients without AD (Seth, 1994). In line with these findings, 90% of our population had either protein caloric malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition.…”

Nutritional approaches in the risk reduction and management of Alzheimer's disease

“…Such compromised protein-energy status could be due to worsening of appetite, taste, and smell, which lead to reduced food consumption, food neglect, and changes in food preferences [17][18][19]. Additionally, compromised nutritional status has been shown in older individuals with AD living at home with their spouses; and among them weight loss and malnutrition (undernutrition) are a common problem [20][21][22]. Body mass index (BMI) and mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) are two widely accepted screening tools for the indication of malnutrition in the elderly [23,24].…”

Abordaje de la disfagia en enfermos de alzhéimer

“…Esta relación se ha vinculado tradicionalmente a una baja ingesta calórico-proteica y a la aspiración de alimentos (19). Por otro lado, existe probada evidencia de mayor riesgo de desnutrición en ancianos con alzhéimer en comparación con aquellos que no están afectados por esta enfermedad (20,21). En cualquier caso, la disfagia es frecuentemente vista como un trastorno secundario, o incluso menor, en las personas mayores en comparación con el diagnóstico primario que causa la disfagia (accidente cerebrovascular, demencia, etc.).…”

“…Las prácticas neuromusculares tienen como objetivo mejorar la fisiología de la deglución. Una de las prácticas, denominada maniobra de Shaker (para potenciar la musculatura suprahioidea, y de seis semanas de duración), ha demostrado cambios en la fisiología orofaríngea y un efecto terapéutico en los pacientes con disfagia (21). Por su parte, las maniobras deglutorias específicas están especialmente dirigidas a compensar alteraciones biomecánicas concretas que el paciente debe ser capaz de aprender y realizar de forma automatizada (23,29).…”