Weight loss in Alzheimer's disease.
In order to determine whether weight loss is a core symptom or secondary manifestation of Alzheimer's disease, we analyzed weight change in 81 outpatients with Alzheimer's disease. During a mean 2.9 years of observation, the mean absolute weight loss was 1.9 +/- 0.8 kg, and the mean weight loss per year was 0.7 +/- 0.3 kg. Although statistically significant (P < .05), the mean absolute weight loss was only 3% of initial body weight. Data analyses revealed that weight change was significantly (P < .0001) correlated with decreased independence in self-feeding. Weight change was not related to duration of dementia, clinical measures of dementia severity, psychiatric symptoms, or medications. These observations support the view that weight loss is a consequence of Alzheimer's disease and does not reflect specific brain lesions.
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Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114.
DiLuca
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Growdon
J H
JH
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D015431:Weight Loss