title: Elderly female patients in continuing care: why are they hyperosmolar?
abstract: We have shown that the majority of elderly female patients in continuing care are in a hyperosmolar state. Thirty-two out of thirty-nine subjects had an osmolality greater than 295 mosm/kg and the mean osmolality was 302 +/- 8 mosm/kg (range 280-317 mosm/kg). No significant relationship was found with the degree of confusion (rs = 0.31; p greater than 0.05). In the second part of the study neither the measured degree of hydration, or any acute, small increases in fluid input influenced the plasma osmolality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of South Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wears
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology