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To know nutritional status of a group of institutionalized patients with moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and to ascertain the effects of an intervention with nutritional supplements on morbidity and mortality after one year follow-up.99 patients (mean age: 86.5 years), 80 women, with a diagnosis of AD according with NINCDS/ADRDA criteria, were recruited from 8 nursing-homes. 25 were included in an intervention group and received a nutritional supplements along 12 months. Evolution was evaluated according to the Functional Assessment Staging Test (FAST). Patients with FAST levels 5-6 were included. General clinical variables as well as variables reflecting cognitive state and nutritional status: anthropometric, biochemical data and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were analysed. Statistical analysis was carry out with the SPSS 10.0 package.Mean time since diagnosis was 49 months, with a 20.2 months duration of institutionalization. Mean value of MNA was 20.1 3.5. 16.5% of patients had a BMI equal o lower than 21. After one year the intervention group showed higher levels of albumin (P=05), pre-albumin (P=05), iron (P=01), zinc (P=05), and beta-carotene (P=05) than the control group. The same response in BMI (P=05), MNA (P=05), and triceps skinfold (P=01). Mortality was lower (16% vs. 22.7%), without statistical significance, in the intervention group, as it was the number of infectious events (47% vs. 66% P=05), and the days in bed (7.5 2.1 vs. 17.3 5.6 P=05).Nutritional supplements applied to a group of patients with AD living in nursing-homes can reduce morbidity and mortality after one year follow-up.

In this review, after some short conceptual and demographical introductory remarks, I will focus my attention on four topics: a) The question of nutritional assessment of the elderly living in a nursing-home; b) Main nutritional disorders; c) Nursing-homes nutritional studies in Spain; and d) Guidelines and protocols.

Arterial hypertension (AHT) is one of the principal health problems facing the community today. Because the prevalence of AHT among the elderly is high and management of the condition is problematic, concern is increasing as the population ages. This article provides the following: a) a short summary of epidemiological data, the most important being the criteria used to define the disease, which has a prevalence of around 50% in patients over 65 years of age (and higher among women); b) a discussion of the role of AHT as a risk factor in the elderly; c) a review of the most important findings and conclusions from studies carried out among the elderly, and d) some final considerations toward the eventual formulation of treatment guidelines.