Tube Feeding in Individuals with Advanced Dementia: A Review of Its Burdens and Perceived Benefits

摘要: Background. Dementia remains a growing concern for societies globally, particularly as people now live longer. About 90% of individuals with advanced dementia suffer from eating problems that lead to general health decline and ultimately impacts upon the physical, psychological, economic wellbeing individuals, caregivers, wider society. Objective. To evaluate burdens perceived benefits tube feeding in dementia. Design. Narrative review. Methods. Computerized databases, including PubMed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Google Scholar were searched 2000 2019 identify research papers, originally written or translated into English language, which investigated oral versus outcome Results. Over 400 articles retrieved. After quality assessment careful review identified articles, only those met inclusion criteria included Conclusion. Tube neither stops disease progression nor prevents imminent death. Each decision placement should be made on case-by-case basis involve multidisciplinary team comprising experienced physicians, nurses, family surrogates, relevant allied professionals. Careful considerations benefit-harm ratio discussed checked surrogate families if they would consistent wishes demented person. Further is required establish whether provides more than vice-versa life survival.