Different changes of bone mineral density and nutritional status after hospitalization between vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease in elderly female patients

Background: Bone fractures strongly influence morbidity and mortality in elderly patients with dementia. The goal of this study was to examine whether difference in the type of dementia affects changes of bone mineral density (BMD) during hospitalization with rehabilitation programs. Methods: Ninety‐four Japanese elderly female patients were enrolled. BMD, Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and levels of serum albumin, calcium‐related factors and urinary calcium excretion were measured. Results: Multivariable analyses indicated that serum albumin levels and MMSE scores were positively correlated with changes in BMD after 2 years hospitalization. Significant reduction of BMD levels after hospitalization were observed in patients with severe dementia (MMSE scores,