Efficacy of rivastigmine transdermal therapy on low food intake in patients with Alzheimer's disease: The Attitude Towards Food Consumption in Alzheimer's Disease Patients Revive with Rivastigmine Effects study

Aim Most patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience poor food intake and/or loss of appetite, which accelerates cognitive impairment. Several reports have shown that rivastigmine improves appetite in AD patients. The present study investigated the efficacy of a rivastigmine transdermal patch for the treatment of low food intake in AD patients. Methods AD patients, recruited through the Attitude Towards Food Consumption in Alzheimer's Disease Patients Revive with Rivastigmine Effects study, were recognized as experiencing either a loss of appetite or poor food intake. A rivastigmine transdermal patch was administered to study participants for 16 weeks. Patients' food intake, bodyweight, Mini-Mental State Examination scores and any adverse events were recorded. Results A total of 38 patients with AD (age 86.2 +/- 5.4 years) were examined. Their mean Mini-Mental State Examination score was 10.1 +/- 7.0 at baseline. A significant increase in food intake amount (54.9 +/- 98.0 g, P < 0.01) and food intake ratio (9.3% +/- 17.6%, P < 0.01) was observed by week 1, improvements that were maintained throughout the study duration. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that no independent variables were significantly associated with changes in food intake amount or ratio. Patients in the higher Mini-Mental State Examination subgroup showed a trend change in food intake amount, although this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.07). Conclusions The present study suggests that a rivastigmine transdermal patch might improve poor food intake or loss of appetite in patients with AD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 571-576.