Weight change and in-patients with dementia: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objectives:The aims of this study were to identify those nursing, psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of care which predicted changes in BMI and body weight amongst people with dementia in the first six and 12 weeks after admission to hospital.Participants:33 patients with moderate or severe levels of cognitive impairment who were admitted to three NHS assessment wards for people with dementia in the South-West of England were recruited. Twenty-one patients were re-assessed after six weeks, with measures repeated again 12 weeks after admission with 15 patients.Findings:A forward stepwise regression model indicated that weight change between admission and six weeks was predicted by the use of anti-psychotic medication, while weight change at 12 weeks was predicted by factors which impeded the patients’ capacity to eat (including physical illness). Increases in BMI were related to higher levels of ill-being.Conclusions:The care of people with dementia on in-patient wards should be concerned to identify both those physical and psychological or psychiatric factors which act to prevent individuals from eating, and to develop effective means of intervening with those patients who are at risk of weight loss.