The Relationship Between Dementia Subtypes and Nutritional Parameters in Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: There are a few studies showing how nutritional parameters are affected according to dementia subtypes. The aim of this study was to compare the parameters characterizing nutritional status and micronutrient levels according to different dementia subtypes.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants: Four hundred forty outpatients aged 65 years or older.

Measures: Newly diagnosed patients with dementia, who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), were retrospectively evaluated. The data on CGA including nutritional status (body mass index), Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, albumin, and micronutrients (vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D) were recorded.

Results: Of the 396 patients, 195 were diagnosed with Alzheimer type dementia, 70 dementia with Lewy body (DLB), 25 with vascular dementia (VaD), 51 with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 55 with normal pressure hydrocephalus. The mean age of the study group was 76.87 ± 8.15 years. The prevalence of malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition were 17.17% and 43.18% in patients, with dementia, respectively. The results of ordinal logistic analysis adjusted by age, sex, and all comorbidities, showed that patients with DLB and VaD were more likely to develop malnutrition [odds ratios 6.834 and 5.414, respectively (P < .001)], whereas FTD had a lower risk of developing malnutrition than the other dementia subtypes (odds ratio 2.883, P = .002).There was no difference in terms of other parameters including vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D (P > .05).

Conclusions: and Implication: There is a close relationship between dementia and malnutrition. Clinical approaches to minimize malnutrition in persons with dementia should include regular screening for malnutrition and its risk factors, avoidance of dietary restrictions, and support of persons at risk for malnutrition with oral nutritional supplements. Moreover, the influence of nutritional status varies in different types of dementia. Nutritional status may be worse in DLB and VaD compared with other types of dementia, whereas nutritional status in FTD is less.

Keywords: Dementia; nutrients; nutrition.