Weight loss in people with Alzheimer's disease: a prospective population based analysis

Abstract

We collected data during five annual structured clinical evaluations of subjects from a stratified random sample of the population aged 65 years and older of East Boston, Massachusetts, a geographically defined community. We measured weight and height, with participants wearing light clothing, without shoes. Body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)²) was used to standardise weight for height. Of the 467 clinical evaluation subjects, 338 survived and underwent follow up assessments and 280 (83%) had two or more weight measurements. We diagnosed Alzheimer's disease on the basis of structured neurological examination, neuropsychological performance testing, brief psychiatric evaluation, medical history, and review of drug treatment. We used computerised Medicare hospital discharge records to identify cancer, heart disease, and congestive heart failure, using ICD-9-CM codes.2 We used repeated measures and random effects regression models to examine the relation between Alzheimer's disease and change in weight.