Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the dementia patient: helpful or hindering?

Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common technique performed worldwide. Recently, the use of PEG in the dementia patient with dysphagia for nutrition support has been called into question. Some reviews have reported no improvement in survival with PEG tubes in this population. Higaki and colleagues now present a large review of PEG tube placement in patients with dementia, which demonstrates a similar survival rate in patients without dementia receiving PEG tubes. The question of the utility of PEG tube placement for nutrition support in the dementia population requires an organized, prospective analysis to concretely answer the question.