J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2007 Feb;14(1):83-91.

BMI, Depression, and Fluid Deficit in Hospitalized Elders

• Shin DS

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the differences in the fluid volume deficit according to levels of depression and BMI. The results of this study will provide fundamental information for developing nursing interventions for hydration management. METHOD: The participants were 51 hospitalized elderly people in K province. Data were collected from September 4 to 30, in 2006. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Frequencies, Percentages, Means, Standard Deviation, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used with the SPSS Program to analyze the data.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in the fluid volume deficit between elders in the depressed and normal groups. Participants who had a BMI of less than 21kg/m2 had the highest fluid volume deficit.
CONCLUSION
Water is an essential part of the human body although it is least studied in elderly people. Health care providers need to increase awareness of the importance of hydration status among hospitalized elderly people with chronic illnesses.

Keyword

Depression; Body mass index; Body fluids; Aged

MeSH Terms

Aged
Body Fluids
Body Mass Index
Chronic Disease
Surveys and Questionnaires
Depression*
Health Personnel
Human Body
Humans
Nursing
Questionnaires
Water
Water