The measurement of axillary moisture for the assessment of dehydration among older patients: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Dry axilla can sometimes be found among dehydrated older patients. In this study, we measured the axillary moisture and assessed it as possible marker for dehydration.


METHODS
Twenty-nine older patients admitted with acute medical conditions participated in this study. Dehydration was diagnosed by the calculated serum osmolality of greater than 295 mOsm/L. The moisture of axilla was measured by a skin moisture impedance meter which was applied at the center of axilla of patients.


RESULTS
11 patients (7 males and 4 females) were diagnosed as dehydrated and 18 patients (10 males and 8 females) were diagnosed as non-dehydrated. The mean axillary moisture (33%) in the dehydrated group was significantly lower than that (42%) in the non-dehydrated group (p<0.05). The axillary moisture ≥50% showed the sensitivity of 88%. The axillary moisture <30% showed the specificity of 91%. Use of a single cutoff value of 40% moisture produced the sensitivity of 59% and the specificity of 9%. As for the physical signs, dry axilla had also moderate sensitivity and excellent specificity to detect dehydration.


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of the axillary moisture could help assess dehydration. Dehydration could be ruled out when the axillary moisture ≥50%, while it could be ruled-in when the axillary moisture is <30%.
Department of Medicine, Mito Kyodo General Hospital, University of Tsukuba, Mito City, Ibaraki, Japan.
Kensuke
K
Kinoshita
Kazuya
K
Hattori
Yoshio
Y
Ota
Takao
T
Kanai
Miyuki
M
Shimizu
Hiroyuki
H
Kobayashi
Yasuharu
Y
Tokuda
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D003681:Dehydration / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers