Abstract :
Background: There is a lack of data on global weight loss prevention programs for patients with
dementia or clear evidence about their impact on a functional level, caregiver burden or the use of healthcare and
social resources. “NutriAlz” is a socio-educative and nutritional intervention program to prevent weight loss and
loss of function in dementia patients. Study Design and Methods: A cluster randomized multi-centre study, which
will allow the comparison of a group benefiting from the intervention with a control group after a year of
monitoring. Patients were recruited from 11 hospitals in the ambulatory diagnostic units and day care centres.
The baseline interview include: sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables (age, gender, educational level,
marital status); diagnostic, treatments, MMS, a list of comorbid conditions; activities of daily living (ADL,
IADL), Zarit Scale, brief-NPI, Cornell scale and nutritional status as measured by the Mini Nutritional
Assessment. All participants or their family signed the inform consent form. Baseline characteristics: Total of
946 patients were included, with a mean (± SD) of 79 ± 7.3 year of age; 68,1 % were women; 44,9% lives with
their partner, only 3% lives alone; 79.8% had Alzheimer’s dementia, 5.25 ± 3.0 years since symptoms of
dementia and 2.8 ± 2.11 years since diagnosis. Mean MMSE score was 15.4 ± 6.2; mean weight was 64.4 ± 12.5
kg; mean BMI was 27.0 ± 4.5 (with 3% below 19, 5% between 19-21, 10% between 21-23, and 82% above 23).
Mean ADL without difficulties was 3.2± 2.1; mean IADL without difficulties was 0.7± 1.6; mean number of
symptoms in the NPI was 4.4 ± 2.59, with severity score of 7.9 ± 5.9 and distress score of 11.3 ± 9.0; mean Zarit
scale was 27.4 ± 15.5; mean MNA was 23.2 ± 3.5 with 5 % as malnourished, 32 % at risk of malnutrition, and
63 % with adequate nutritional status.
