Dental condition and weight loss in institutionalized demented patients

This reports the results of a retrospective clinical study evaluating the role of dentures on weight maintenance in an institutionalized demented population. Records of 57 demented long-term (greater than 3 months) residents of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC, Nursing Home Care Unit were evaluated to determine body weight, mental acuity, independence in daily living, and dental condition. Fourteen (24%) of the patients possessed dentures, 19 (33%) were edentulous and functioned without dentures, while 24 patients (42%) were dentate. Overall mean weight change was -2.03 lbs +/- 0.81 lbs in 3 months. There was no significant difference in weight loss based on dental condition. There was, however, an apparent correlation of weight loss and mental acuity. Thus, it was concluded that dentures did not influence weight maintenance among institutionalized demented patients.