title: Effect of Rikkunshi-to on appetite loss found in elderly dementia patients: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently found in elderly dementia patients. In such a case, we attempt treatment by the administration of antidepressants or second-generation antipsychotics. However, these medications have a risk of side-effects. In the present study, we carried out oral administration of Rikkunshi-to to elderly dementia patients with appetite loss, and examined its effects on food intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six elderly dementia patients were recruited from inpatients. They showed appetite loss, but no organic abnormalities of the gastrointestinal organs. These patients were given Rikkunshi-to, at 7.5 g per day, t.i.d. for 4 weeks. We examined the food intake, weight, total protein, albumin and potassium in plasma before administration and for 4 weeks after administration. In statistical analyses, the percentage of food consumed for 4 weeks was analyzed by anova. We also examined the side-effects of Rikkunshi-to.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patient 3, we stopped investigation after 3 weeks because of the development of cholecystitis. The values of 4 weeks in patient 3 were calculated as the mean values of 4 weeks in the other five patients. anova and Tukey's multiple comparison showed a marginally significant difference in weight between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 4 weeks after. In change of food intake, there were no significant differences between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 1 day after, 1 day and 2 days after, 2 days and 3 days after, 3 days and 1 week after, and 1 week and 2 weeks after; however, there were significant increases in food intake between other times. With regard to the side-effects, mild lower limb oedema appeared in the two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, we showed the effect of Rikkunshi-to in improving appetite loss in elderly dementia patients. The present study suggests that Rikkunshi-to might be useful in improving functional appetite loss in elderly dementia patients, because there are no serious side-effects.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo Koshigaya Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Saitama, Japan. yushi19770926@yahoo.co.jp
authors: Yushi
authors: Y
authors: Utumi
authors: Eizo
authors: E
authors: Iseki
authors: Norio
authors: N
authors: Murayama
authors: Motohiro
authors: M
authors: Nozawa
authors: Ryo
authors: R
authors: Kumagai
authors: Youichiro
authors: Y
authors: Matsubara
authors: Yosuke
authors: Y
authors: Ichimiya
authors: Heii
authors: H
authors: Arai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C084136:liu-jun-zi-tang