Nutritional problems in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: Risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia

Abstract

Objective Understand the nutritional problems and detect the presence of sarcopenia in older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease receiving care at the Unidade de Saúde de Atenção ao Idoso (Elderly Care Unit) in a capital city in Southern Brazil between November 2010 and July 2011. The Clinical Dementia Rating scale was used for the evaluation of staging severity of dementia. Participants' nutritional status was classified using The Mini Nutritional Assessment. The following tests were used to diagnose sarcopenia: bioelectrical impedance, hand grip strength, and the Timed Up and Go test. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests (hemoglobin, lymphocytes, serum albumin, and total cholesterol) were performed. Results Ninety-six older adults (mean age of 78 years) were evaluated. It was observed prevalence of mild Alzheimer's disease in 54.2% of the participants; 55.2% were at risk of malnutrition; unintentional weight loss was observed in 64.6%, 55.3% had lower number of lymphocytes, and 43.7% had severe sarcopenia. Conclusion The prevalence of risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia is high among older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Future studies should focus on the evaluation of nutritional interventions aimed at maintaining the nutritional status and muscle mass in these individuals.