Chronic Dehydration in Nursing Home Residents

Abstract

Chronic dehydration mainly occurs due to insufficient fluid intake over a lengthy period of time, and nursing home residents are thought to be at high risk for chronic dehydration. However, few studies have investigated chronic dehydration, and new diagnostic methods are needed. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify risk factors for chronic dehydration by measuring serum osmolality in nursing home residents and also to evaluate whether examining the inferior vena cava (IVC) and determining the IVC collapsibility index (IVC-CI) by ultrasound can be helpful in the diagnosis of chronic dehydration. A total of 108 Japanese nursing home residents aged ≥65 years were recruited. IVC measurement was performed using a portable handheld ultrasound device. Fifteen residents (16.9%) were classified as having chronic dehydration (serum osmolality ≥295 mOsm/kg). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that chronic dehydration was associated with dementia (odds ratio (OR), 6.290; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.270–31.154) and higher BMI (OR, 1.471; 95% CI, 1.105–1.958) but not with IVC or IVC-CI. Cognitive function and body weight of residents should be considered when establishing a strategy for preventing chronic dehydration in nursing homes.

Association of dehydration with development of dementia among non‐demented geriatric outpatients

“…In a previous study, we observed the cross-sectional association between chronic dehydration and dementia in nursing home residents. 2 On the one hand, dementia may increase the risk of dehydration owing to insufficient fluid intake, decreased physical function, dysphagia, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. On the other, dehydration may lead to lower cognitive function because lower hydration status has been found to be related to decreased attention and processing speed.…”

“…Masaaki Nagae, 1 Hiroyuki Umegaki, 1 Yusuke Suzuki, 2 Hitoshi Komiya, 1 Kazuhisa Watanabe, 1 Yosuke Yamada 1 and Masafumi Kuzuya 1 1 Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan 2 Center for Community Liaison and Patient Consultations, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan Dear Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on seniors worldwide. Prevention measures such as socialdistancing have resulted in isolation, depression and reduced activity.…”

“…1 SARC-F is recommended as a screening tool for sarcopenia in many international guidelines for community-dwelling seniors. 2 The 5-time chair rise is a recommended measure for low muscle strength and possible sarcopenia, which allows earlier intervention before the onset of sarcopenia. 2 Home-based interventions, such as digital resistance exercises and high-protein diet recommendations, can delay the onset and progression of sarcopenia.…”

“…2 The 5-time chair rise is a recommended measure for low muscle strength and possible sarcopenia, which allows earlier intervention before the onset of sarcopenia. 2 Home-based interventions, such as digital resistance exercises and high-protein diet recommendations, can delay the onset and progression of sarcopenia. The Digital Healthy Ageing Promotion Program for You (HAPPY) is a dual-task exercise program that was introduced in Singapore during the national lockdown in April 2020.…”

Analysis of dehydration in older people in a nursing home in Spain: prevalence and associated factors

“…La deshidratación aguda es una pérdida de agua y sodio, a menudo causada por vómitos, diarrea o sudoración, entre otros, y puede ser experimentada por personas de todas las edades. Por el contrario, la deshidratación crónica se debe a una ingesta insuficiente de líquidos durante un período prolongado, causando un déficit de líquidos principalmente en el compartimento del líquido intracelular debido al aumento de la osmolalidad(8). Esta puede empezar en ausencia de enfermedad aguda y es el tipo más común en las personas mayores institucionalizadas(9).En esta población, la prevalencia de la deshidratación puede oscilar entre el 12 % y el 50 % (10-12).…”