Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and outcome in dementia

The use of percutaneous endoscopic: gastrostomy for the administration of f ood and medications in patients with dementia has been on an increase. Many studies have failed to demonstrate the positive outcome expected of this f eeding modality for the indications that required tube placement. Hence, th e concept of feeding through gastrostomy tubes has become the subject of mu ch discussion and controversy in recent times. We have reviewed the literat ure with regard to outcome in older patients with dementia and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with respect to nutritional parameters, quality of life, and survival. A. brief discussion on ethical and legal aspects is inc luded.-Much of the data do not suggest that outcome in dementia is favorabl y improved after percutaneous gastrostomy. (Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:2556 -2563. (C) 2001 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).