Is biolectrical impedance analysis a tool at bedside, during heat waves to assist geriatricians with discriminative diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration?
OBJECTIVE
To assess BIA data given by Analycor 3 and some bio-impedance equations to assist geriatricians with discriminative diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration, during heat waves.


METHODS
Prospective study: a dehydrated patients group has been compared with a randomised control group.


METHODS
The study was carried out in a French geriatric department, in the Emile Roux geriatric hospital.


METHODS
36: six men and twelve women in each group.


METHODS
The most valuable clinical indicators of dehydration severity were recorded and scored. BIA measurements were performed with an Analycor 3 analyzer; TBW was calculated from impedances at 50 and 100 kHz, ECW from impedance at 5 kHz; Calculations were made also with formula described in the literature, validated in healthy or in institutionalised elderly subjects.


RESULTS
TBW and ECW values were always lower in dehydrated group than in control group, but without significance, whatever the applied formula; however ICW values calculated with "manufacturers equations" significantly decreased in dehydrated group. Data given by the analyzer used in this study, as well as BIA age specific equations discriminated the severely hypertonic dehydrated patients sub-group, but not the mildly hypertonic dehydrated patients sub-group.


CONCLUSIONS
The BIA data given by the analyzer used in this study assist geriatricians at bedside with discriminative diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration, especially in severe hypertonic dehydration, but data given by the analyzer used in this study, as well as age specific equations are sometimes in poor agreement with clinical and biological parameters usually selected to assess dehydration, in mildly dehydrated patients.
Schut
A
A
Service de Gérontologie 4, Pavillon Calmette, Hospitalier Emile Roux, 94456 Limeil Brevannes Cédex.
Dascendo
V
V
Giraud
K
K
Chatap
G
G
Royand
F
F
Blonde-Cynober
F
F
Aussel
C
C
Vincent
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index