Feeding tube risks for dementia patients often not discussed

amednews: Feeding tube risks for dementia patients often not discussed :: May 25, 2011 ... American Medical News: Nearly 90% of patients with advanced dementia have problems feeding themselves, lose weight or choke on food. About 40% of these patients die within six months of developing eating problems, previous research shows. But feeding tubes may not be the right response to the problem. Observational studies have found that feeding tubes do not prolong life, reduce aspiration pneumonia risk or improve quality of life for these patients.

And the tubes come with risks. Patients with advanced dementia who have tubes inserted often attempt to pull the tubes out, with the result that many patients are physically restrained or sedated. Feeding tubes also can become clogged and cause diarrhea. Yet those risks are not usually discussed, said the study, a survey of 486 people whose next-of-kin died of dementia in nursing homes in five states.