Dehydration Prevention and Diagnosis: A Study in Long-Term Geriatric and Palliative Care

Abstract

Study Part I is a cross-sectional point of care assessment of data which might distinguish dehydrated from euhydrated subjects. Twelve potential markers of dehydration were evaluated: inadequate fluid intake, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, diuretic treatment, serum sodium, serum urea and creatinine, urea/creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin and serum albumin. Study Part II is a longitudinal survey of patients at risk of dehydration under changing clinical conditions. He clinical and laboratory data were prospectively followed and related to the patients' hydration state.