The prevalence of dehydration and inadequate fluid intake in dysphagic elderly on thickened fluids in Canadian and United States long-term care facilities.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to compare hydration status and fluid intake in elderly residents (65 years and older) on thickened fluids to elderly residents on regular fluids who are residing in long-term care facilities in Canada and the United States (N=39). De- identified medical records were reviewed to assess dehydration using BUN: creatinine ratio of ≥25:1mg/dL. De-identified meal consumption charts were reviewed to calculate a three-day average fluid intake of each resident to determine if, on average, elderly residents have adequate fluid intakes of ≥1500ml/day. Two-sample t-tests were used compare proportions of elderly dehydrated, and elderly with inadequate fluid intake receiving thickened fluids compared to elderly receiving regular fluids. Means were calculated to analyze whether, on average, fluid intake was adequate among those on thickened and regular fluid diets. Results showed dehydration in 25% of residents on thickened fluids and 26.7% of residents on regular fluids (p=.911). Overall there was an average inadequate fluid intake in residents on regular fluids (1337mL/day) and thickened fluids (1249mL/day). The proportion of overall inadequate fluid intake of residents on thickened fluids was 83% and 73% for residents on regular fluids ( p=.465). Of the 10 residents identified as being dehydrated in this study, nine were also found to have an inadequate fluid intake (1073mL). This study found an overall high prevalence of inadequate fluid intake among elderly residents (79%), highlighting an ongoing challenge of adequate fluid intake in long-term care facilities.;Keywords: Dysphagia, Thickened fluids, Hydration status, Fluid intake.