Table 1 Prognostic indicators for dementia²⁷.

General predictors of end stage illness	Specific prognostic indicators in dementia
Multiple comorbidity with no primary diagnosis	Unable to walk without assistance, and
Weight loss >10% over 6 months	Urinary and faecal incontinence, and
General physical decline	Unable to dress without assistance
Serum albumin <25 g/l	Barthel score <3*
Reduced performance status/Karnofsky score <50%*	Plus any one of:
Dependence in most activities of daily living	– 10% weight loss over 6 months without other cause
	– pyelonephritis or urinary tract infection
	– serum albumin <25 g/l
	– “high” Waterlow score for pressure score risk
	– recurrent fever
	– reduced oral intake/weight loss
	– aspiration pneumonia

*The Karnofsky score and Barthel score measure patient performance on activities of daily living with the Karnofsky score giving a percentage value between 10 and 100 and the Barthel score giving a total score out of 20.