Cohort Study: Thick liquids not linked to better outcomes in hospitalized patients with dementia—further studies required – JAMA Intern Med

– This matched cohort study evaluated the impact of thick vs. thin liquids on clinical outcomes in 8916 hospitalized patients aged 65 and older with Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and oropharyngeal dysphagia. Conducted across 11 diverse hospitals in New York from January 2017 to September 2022, the study utilized propensity score matching to ensure comparability between the two diet groups based on demographic and clinical characteristics.

– The study found no significant difference in mortality rates between the thick and thin liquid groups (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.75-1.14; P = .46). Patients on a thick liquid diet were less likely to require intubation (odds ratio [OR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.54-0.80) but exhibited a higher incidence of respiratory complications such as pneumonia (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.56-1.91).

– The findings suggest that while thick liquids may reduce the need for intubation, they may increase the risk of respiratory complications. These results underscore the necessity for future prospective studies to more definitively ascertain the effectiveness of thick liquids in improving clinical outcomes for this patient population.

Reference (link to abstract – $ for full-text):
Makhnevich, A. et al. (2024). Thick Liquids and Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias and Dysphagia. JAMA Intern Med. Published online May 6, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0736