Dehydration is frequently seen in hospitalized older adults and is linked to poor outcomes. Since it is a modifiable factor, early identification and intervention will avoid adverse events and improve the quality of life after discharge. Hospital-associated disability (HAD) is a poor prognostic factor and can be categorized into mobility impairment and self-care impairment when setting management goals. Few studies have directly examined the association between dehydration and HAD. Thus, the present study examined if dehydration is a predictor of HAD, categorized into mobility and self-care impairment among acute hospitalized older adults.

The study included patients aged 65 years or older admitted to the geriatric ward. It defined current dehydration as estimated serum osmolarity > 300 mOsm/kg; and assessed HAD between baseline and discharge and at 3 months after discharge and evaluated it separately for mobility and self-care impairments.

The study observed-

• The enrollment of 192 patients (mean age= 84.7 years; male= 41.1%; dehydration= 31.3%).
• Significantly higher occurrence of HAD in the dehydrated group than in the non-dehydrated group (42.4% vs 26.5%) from baseline to 3 months after discharge.
• A significant association between dehydration and HAD in self-care from baseline to 3 months after discharge.

This study shows that dehydration has the potential to predict the occurrence of HAD in acute hospitalized older adults. A multifaceted approach may be required to improve the management of dehydration in these patients.

Nagae M, Umegaki H, Komiya H., et al. dehydration and hospital-associated disability in acute hospitalized older adults. Eur Geriatr Med. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-022-00722-5