WEIGHT-LOSS, DYSPHAGIA, AND OUTCOME IN ADVANCED DEMENTIA

There has been much debate on the value and risks of long-term enteral feeding in patients with advanced dementia. A retrospective study was carried out on 47 patients with a primary diagnosis of dementia who d ied over a two-year period. All were inpatients in a nursing home or s killed nursing facility. Marked weight loss and dysphagia occurring in a specific pattern were found to be associated with death from pneumo nia. These clinical features probably imply failure of basic homeostat ic mechanisms. Patients showing this clinical pattern may be less like ly to show benefits from longterm enteral feeding.