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. 2007 Jun;83(980):362–366. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.052936

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.