THE BURDEN AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH DEHYDRATION AMONG US ELDERLY,1991

Objectives, De-hydration has been underappreciated as a cause of hospi talization and increased hospital-associated mortality in older people . This study used national data to analyze the burden and outcomes fol lowing hospitalizations with dehydration in the elderly. Methods. Data from 1991 Medicare files were used to calculate rates of hospitalizat ion with dehydration, to examine demographic characteristics and conco mitant diagnoses associated with dehydration, and to analyze the contr ibution of dehydration to mortality. Results. In 1991, 6.7% (731695) o f Medicare hospitalizations had dehydration listed as one of the five reported diagnoses, a rate of 236.2/10000 elderly Medicare beneficiari es. In 1991, Medicare reimbursed over $446 million for hospitalization s with dehydration as the principal diagnosis. Older people, men, and Blacks had elevated risks for hospitalization with dehydration, Acute infections, such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections, were frequ ent concomitant diagnoses. About 50% of elderly Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with dehydration died within a year of admission. Conclu sions, Hospitalization of elderly people with dehydration is a serious and costly medical problem. Attention should be focused on understand ing predisposing factors and devising strategies for prevention.