Nutritional and Functional Indicators and Their Association With Mortality Among Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Sousa, Odete (Author) FCNAUP; Mendes, J (Author) Other; Amaral, Teresa (Author) FCNAUP

Journal

Title: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias

Vol. 35

ISSN: 1533-3175

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-S9D

DOI: 10.1177/1533317520907168

Abstract (EN): 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.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific