| Methods |
Prospective observational cohort study. Follow up to 24 months |
| Participants |
1386 American nursing home residents 65 or older with recent progression to severe cognitive impairment, using a score of 5 or less at baseline but who progressed at some point during the next 24 months to a score of 6 on the Cognitive Performance Scale. Researchers state that although the majority of cognitive disability in the group was likely to be caused by dementia, other conditions may have caused the residents decline in cognitive status. Median age 87 years, range 65‐107. 75.6% female. |
| Interventions |
135/1386 Patients fed via feeding tube placement were compared with those who did not have a tube. |
| Outcomes |
Survival analysis: after adjusting for potential confounders (age <87 years, aspiration, chewing or swallowing problems, stroke, functional impairment, no dementia, pressure ulcers and DNR status) feeding tube placement was not significantly associated with survival (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.21). |
| Notes |
Limitations: It is not established that all patients have dementia, and it is not established how similar the groups were. |
