Feeding Modality and Longitudinal Nutritional Status in Severe Dementia: A Matched Cohort Study

ObjectivesNasogastric (NG) tube feeding versus assisted oral feeding is associated with different longitudinal trajectories of nutritional status and muscle reserve in severe dementia.MethodsIn this prospective longitudinal cohort study, 180 residents with severe dementia were recruited from 13 long-term care facilities in Taiwan. After 1:1 propensity-score matching, 112 residents were included. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment and calf circumference at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, and data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations.ResultsAssisted oral feeding was associated with higher Mini Nutritional Assessment scores and greater calf circumference than NG feeding, whereas both outcomes declined significantly over time. No significant associations were found for age, sex, chronic-disease count, FAST stage, or dementia duration.ConclusionAssisted oral feeding was associated with better nutritional outcomes, although residual imbalance in dementia severity limits causal inference.