Clinical value of nutritional status in neurodegenerative diseases: What is its impact and how it affects disease progression and management?

Nutr Neurosci. 2018 Apr;21(3):162-175. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2016.1261529. Epub 2016 Nov 30.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a major problem of public health that is associated with an increased risk of mortality and poor quality of life. Malnutrition is considered as a major problem that worsens the prognosis of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. In this aspect, the present review is aimed to critically collect and summarize all the available existing clinical data regarding the clinical impact of nutritional assessment in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting on the crucial role of nutritional status in disease progression and management. According to the currently available clinical data, the nutritional status of patients seems to play a very important role in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. A correct nutritional evaluation of neurodegenerative disease patients and a right nutrition intervention is essential in monitoring their disease.

Keywords: Disease management; Disease progression; Malnutrition; Neurodegenerative diseases; Nutritional assessment; Nutritional status.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cognitive Aging
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition / complications*
  • Malnutrition / diagnosis
  • Malnutrition / physiopathology
  • Malnutrition / therapy
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / complications*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / complications*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / physiopathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index