title: Which Frail Older People Are Dehydrated? The UK DRIE Study.
abstract: Water-loss dehydration in older people is associated with increased mortality and disability. We aimed to assess the prevalence of dehydration in older people living in UK long-term care and associated cognitive, functional, and health characteristics.
  
  
  
  The Dehydration Recognition In our Elders (DRIE) cohort study included people aged 65 or older living in long-term care without heart or renal failure. In a cross-sectional baseline analysis, we assessed serum osmolality, previously suggested dehydration risk factors, general health, markers of continence, cognitive and functional health, nutrition status, and medications. Univariate linear regression was used to assess relationships between participant characteristics and serum osmolality, then associated characteristics entered into stepwise backwards multivariate linear regression.
  
  
  
  DRIE included 188 residents (mean age 86 years, 66% women) of whom 20% were dehydrated (serum osmolality >300 mOsm/kg). Linear and logistic regression suggested that renal, cognitive, and diabetic status were consistently associated with serum osmolality and odds of dehydration, while potassium-sparing diuretics, sex, number of recent health contacts, and bladder incontinence were sometimes associated. Thirst was not associated with hydration status.
  
  
  
  DRIE found high prevalence of dehydration in older people living in UK long-term care, reinforcing the proposed association between cognitive and renal function and hydration. Dehydration is associated with increased mortality and disability in older people, but trials to assess effects of interventions to support healthy fluid intakes in older people living in residential care are needed to enable us to formally assess causal direction and any health benefits of increasing fluid intakes.
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK. L.hooper@uea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Diane K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bunn
authors.affiliation: University of Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Florence O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Jimoh
authors.affiliation: Public and Patient Involvement in Research (PPIRes) Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.affiliation: Public and Patient Involvement in Research (PPIRes) Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Free
authors.affiliation: NorseCare Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cowap
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shepstone
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Aged; Dehydration; Dementia; Diabetes mellitus; Osmolar concentration