Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, primarily affects people over the age of 65 years. About 8 per cent of people over 65 have Alzheimer's disease, and the prevalence doubles every five years, with 30 per cent of the population over 85 being affected. The condition begins with cognitive disorders that gradually worsen. Other symptoms include orientation difficulties, loss of independence and disordered eating patterns. In addition, weight loss is common, which can lead to increased risk of infection, falls, skin ulcers, and, as a consequence, a deterioration in quality of life. It is therefore worthwhile helping to prevent or reduce these nutritional difficulties as much as possible.
Weight loss in Alzheimer's disease may be caused by reduced energy intake. As the disease progresses, patients experience reduction in functional capability, such that shopping, meal preparation and eating become more difficult. Weight loss may be caused by increased energy requirements due to agitation and stress, although the evidence for differences in energy expenditure between healthy people and those with Alzheimer's disease is limited.
This series of "dietary advice tips" is intended to be a reminder of the main points to be made by pharmacists when giving nutritional information to the public. The conditions included in the series are those where diet is a well recognised risk factor, those in which diet contributes to the management of the condition, and others for which patients may welcome sound dietary advice. The series is written by Dr Pamela Mason (a pharmacist with a postgraduate qualification in nutrition)
