| pubmed-article:6531933 | pubmed:abstractText | The present study seeks to examine the question of the etiology, the diagnostic criteria and therapeutic consequences of exsiccosis in the elderly. The study includes 14 patients (9 males, 5 females) with an average of 76,8 +/- 4,8 years of age, all hospitalized because of dehydration. Following an exact diagnostic procedure a controlled therapy including a discontinuation of treatment was introduced in order to allow an evaluation of the development of dehydration. Results: 1. The diagnosis of senile exsiccosis requires a synthesis of the patient's history, an exact physical examination and laboratory analysis. The central venous pressure (CVP) can be regarded as the most reliable parameter (it was lower than normal in 100% of the patients). There was a strikingly high incidence of increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)-more than 105 rm3 in 86% of the cases. 2. The mean liquid-deficit of elderly patients with exsiccosis was 4,8 +/- 2,81. 3. The reason for the frequent incidence of exsiccosis in advanced age is to be found in a relative adipsia (the average daily deficit of liquid-intake was 815 +/- 47 ml per patient). Combined with a diminished renal concentration capacity (78,5% of the patients did not reach a specific weight of urine more than 1020 after a concentration test). 4. As a preventive measure, patients with tendency for exsiccosis should receive instructions as to the necessity of daily liquid-intake following exact balancing; furthermore regular weight-controls should be performed. | lld:pubmed |
