Abstract
The evolution of nutritional parameters was studied over 1 year in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Seventy-six community dwelling patients with probable AD underwent a comprehensive nutritional assessment at entry into the study and 1 year later. The nutritional assessment included anthropometric and biological markers, as well as a complete dietary assessment. A comprehensive functional and neuropsychological evaluation was performed on each patient using a number of standardized and validated tools, as well as a scale to evaluate caregiver burden. Just over 44 % of our subjects experienced a greater than 4 % weight loss in 1 year. Over 13 % of our subjects lost more than 10 % body weight. Patients having lost weight resembled patients without weight loss, except that caregiver burden was perceived to be higher in the weight loosing group, they tended to lose independence in activities of daily living (ADL). This group also had a decrease in daily caloric intake (−400 kCal/day). In 1 year, a large number of AD patients lose weight. Given the seriousness of the problems associated with weight loss it seems to be prudent to recommend a regular monitoring of the nutritional status in AD patients, as soon as the diagnosis is suspected, and instituting a weight loss prevention program where caregiver burden is perceived as the greatest.
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