The nasogastric tube (NGT) not only provides nutritional support, but is also an effective diagnostic and therapeutic aid. We present the profile of the geriatric patient who needs the NGT, the reasons for its use, and mortality in these patients. 25 women (aged 83.9 +/- 5.5) and 25 men (aged 79 +/- 7.7) required the NGT, 15 of them only temporarily (TNGT) and 35 permanently (PNGT). The percentage of those with chronic neurologic disorders and/or incontinence (fecal or urinary), was highest in the PNGT group, as was the number of drugs used per patient (4.2 +/- 1.8 vs. 2.9 +/- 1.4). Laboratory studies showed no differences between the groups. PNGT was used in those whose conditions were chronic and progressive (inability to swallow or not sufficiently alert for oral nutrition). TNGT was used commonly as a diagnostic or therapeutic aid. During the study 20 patients died (40%), all in the PNGT group. Pneumonia was the main cause of death (18%), followed by decubitus ulcer (14%) and urinary tract infections (8%).