Heat-related dehydration in geriatric nursing home residents
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: 60 geriatric nursing home residents. The fluid status of these nursing home residents will be assessed using saliva osmolality and vena cava ultrasound (diameter in inspiration and expiration
Sponsors
Institut für Geriatrische Forschung der Uniklinik Ulm
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Consent to participate in the study by self or by legal representative (“informed consent”) Residents who have already been living in this nursing home since 01.04.2025 and are expected to remain there until the end of September 2025
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Palliative residents in the process of dying
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Presentation of the influence of hot temperatures on the health of elderly nursing home residents with the help of measurements on hot days (daily maximum temperature = 30°C) and comparative measurements on non-hot days (daily maximum temperature <25°C) - Outcome 1: Fluid balance (vena cava diameter, caval index and salivary osmolality in mOsm/kg) - Outcome 2: Direct contacts with doctors (hospital admissions, emergency doctor, general practitioner due to acute problems) Hypothesis 1: Hot days (daily maximum temperature = 30°C) have a significant influence on the fluid balance of geriatric nursing home residents, characterized by a reduced expiratory vena cava diameter or an increased caval index and an increased saliva osmolality. Hypothesis 2: On hot days (daily maximum temperature = 30°C), there are more direct contacts with doctors (hospital admissions, emergency doctor visits, general practitioner visits due to acute problems) compared to non-hot days (daily maximum temperature <25°C). Observation period for all hypotheses: May 1 - September 15, 2025 | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| To evaluate the feasibility and applicability of measuring salivary osmolality as a marker for detecting dehydration in nursing home residents on hot days. Hypothesis 3: Measurement of salivary osmolality is a feasible method for detecting dehydration in nursing home residents on hot days. Evaluation of preventive measures and reactions/countermeasures of general practitioners and nursing home operators on and before hot days (and extent of reaction) a. Physical measures (shading, cooling, etc.) b. Procedural measures (questioning residents, preventive visits, etc.) c. Medication measures (adjustment of heat-sensitive medication) Hypothesis 4: Preventive and reactive measures before and on hot days are taken by general practitioners and nursing home operators, whereby the measures can be divided into physical, procedural and medication measures. Observation period for all hypotheses: May 1 - September 15, 2025 | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactLukas Steinacher
Institut für Geriatrische Forschung der Uniklinik Ulm
Outcome results
None listed