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Nutritional guidance improves nutrient intake and quality of life, and may prevent falls in aged persons with Alzheimer disease living with a spouse (NuAD trial)

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to examine the effect of tailored nutritional guidance on nutrition, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and falls in persons with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting and Participants

Persons with AD living with a spouse.

Intervention

Tailored nutritional guidance with home visits during one year. The control group received a written guide about nutrition in older adults and all community-provided normal care.

Measurements

The primary outcome measure was weight change, and secondary outcomes included changes in protein and micronutrient intakes from three-day food records, HRQoL (15D) and rate of falls.

Results

Of the participants (n = 78) with AD (mean age 77.4, 69% males), 40% were at risk for malnutrition, 77% received < 1.2 g/bodyweight (kg) of protein at baseline. We found no difference in weight change between the groups. At 12 months, the mean change in protein intake was 0.05 g/bodyweight (kg) (95% CI −0.06 to 0.15) in the intervention group (IG), and −0.06 g/kg (95% CI −0.12 to 0.02) in the control group (CG) (p = 0.031, adjusted for baseline value, age, sex, MMSE and BMI). Participants’ HRQoL improved by 0.006 (95% CI −0.016 to 0.028) in the IG, but declined by −0.036 (95% CI −0.059 to 0.013) in the CG (p = 0.007, adjusted for baseline value, age, sex, MMSE and BMI). Dimensions that differed included mental functioning, breathing, usual activities and depression. The fall rate was 0.55 falls/person per year (95% CI 0.34 to 0.83) in the IG, and 1.39 falls/person per year (95% CI 1.04 to 1.82) in the CG (IRR 0.55; 95% CI 2.16 to 6.46; p < 0.001 adjusted for age, sex and MMSE).

Conclusions

Tailored nutritional guidance improves nutrition and HRQoL, and may prevent falls among AD people living with a spouse.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Primary Health Care, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Tukholmankatu 8, 00240, Helsinki, Finland

    Merja H. Suominen, T. M. Puranen, S. K. Jyväkorpi, H. Kautiainen & K. H. Pitkalä

  2. Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    U. Eloniemi-Sulkava

  3. Nutrition Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    U. Siljamäki-Ojansuu

Authors
  1. Merja H. Suominen
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  2. T. M. Puranen
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  3. S. K. Jyväkorpi
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  4. U. Eloniemi-Sulkava
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  5. H. Kautiainen
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  6. U. Siljamäki-Ojansuu
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  7. K. H. Pitkalä
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Correspondence to Merja H. Suominen.

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Suominen, M.H., Puranen, T.M., Jyväkorpi, S.K. et al. Nutritional guidance improves nutrient intake and quality of life, and may prevent falls in aged persons with Alzheimer disease living with a spouse (NuAD trial). J Nutr Health Aging 19, 901–907 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0558-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0558-0

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