Malnutrition among people with dementia in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Objectives: To determine the rate and predictive factors of malnutrition in people with dementia in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Methods: Patients aged ≥60 years with a diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder (according to DSM-5 criteria) and their primary caregivers were invited to participate. Nutritional status was assessed using the Thai version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment. Cognitive function was assessed using the Thai version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Functional status was assessed using the Barthel Index for activities of daily living and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Overall dementia symptom severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression - severity scale. The profile of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia was assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory.

Results: In total, 61 pairs of older adults with dementia and their caregivers were included. Of the 61 patients with dementia, 4.9% had malnutrition and 34.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Regarding caregivers, 6.6% were at risk of malnutrition. Predictors for the nutritional status of patients with dementia were caregiver Mini-Nutritional Assessment score (odds ratio = 0.72, p = 0.03) and patient Neuropsychiatric Inventory apathy subscale score (odds ratio = 1.26, p = 0.05).

Conclusion: Apathy level of patients and nutritional status of caregivers were predictors of nutritional status in patients with dementia. Regular monitoring of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in older adults with dementia and the nutritional status of their caregivers should be included in comprehensive nutritional assessment.