Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for patients of dementia

The objective of this study is to report indication, complications and outcome of PEG for demented patients. Forty-four patients with dementia were studied for their underlying diagnosis, indications, complications and outcome of the PEG treatment. The refusal of oral intake was frequent indication for PEG. PEG is significantly effective when their nutritional states became worse and critical in such a state due to functional and/or organic dysphagia, or in a case of rigid refusal for oral intake. Some patients could re-establish of oral intake under improving their nutritional states as well as effects by physical rehabilitation.