Research

Since the first professorship in geriatric medicine was established in Malmö 1987, one hundered and sixty scientific publications have been written in our division. At present, 20 doctoral students and senior researchers are working on scientific projects concerning geriatric nutrition, cognition and dementia, aging, rehabilitation after brain damage, nursing of the elderly in different forms of accomodation and longitudinal gerontological studies. Four doctoral dissertations have been completed.

Different project in Geriatric Medicine focus on dementia disorders - diagnostic instruments and development of the disease as well as medical outcome of psychosocial intervention of living conditons - and nutritional needs in the elderly.

Dementia is characterized by a variety of symptoms because of reduction of cognitive, conative and emotional functions. The sensitivity and specificity of different neuropsychological assessments, regional cerebral blood flow and EEG are studied. The association between pathological blood pressure regulation and dementia is analyzed.

Groupliving is a care of mode with units especially designed for the needs of the demented. Behavioural and emotional symptoms are evaluated in different types and stages of dementia. The effect of psychosocial intervention and interaction is studied regarding secondary symptoms of dementia e.g. depression, anxiety and restlessness but also preservation of memory.

In another project, the utilization of a microcomputer based alarm telephone system in the home of handicapped elderly is evaluated in Southern Sweden and the improved ability to remain in their own home with this device is evaluated.

Energy needs decreases with age, but a lower food intake, especially in disabled hospitalized elderly, might increase risk of malnutrition of other nutrients. Previous metabolic studies of geriatric patients showed that almost 30% had a negative energy balance. Different interventional studies focus on instruments to improve identification of malnutrition. Dysphagia is a common symptom after stroke. The nutritional effect after treatment of dysphagia is studied. Diet assessment methods, dietary intake and body composition as a marker of diet, exercise and energy balance is studied in different elderly populations.