A study systematically examined the effect of dehydration on health outcomes, determined linked financial costs and considered impacts on cognitive performance in older adults.

It reviewed the English-language articles via OVID utilizing MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE etc. The studies examining the relationship between hydration status and health, care costs or cognitive outcome were included in the study. The Cross-sectional and cohort data were utilized and all extracted articles underwent Independent quality rating assessment. Adults of >/=60 years were included in the study.

The observations of the study were described as follows-

A total of 1684 articles were screened

18 papers among all met the inclusion criteria. 

Participants from hospital settings, medical long-term care centres and the community-dwelling population were included. 

A narrative summary was utilized to synthesize the data. 

Dehydrated patients demonstrated a higher Mortality rate.

Dehydration showed worsening of health outcomes, including frailty, bradyarrhythmia, transient ischemic attacks, oral health and surgery recovery. 

Dehydration patients demonstrated a greater Length of hospital stay than those who are euhydrated. 

Dehydration may have an impact on neurocognitive functioning. 

Thus it was concluded that dehydrated older people are associated with increased mortality, poorer course of illness and increased costs for health services.

Additionally, there are shreds of evidence that links dehydration in older people to poorer cognitive performance. Thus, intervention studies should test strategies to reduce dehydration in older adults.

Source: Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2021 Jul-Aug;95:104380. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104380. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 33636649.