O'Neill P A, McLean K A
University of Manchester, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of South Manchester, England, UK.
Med Lab Sci. 1992 Dec;49(4):291-8.
The elderly are at risk of developing disturbances of water homeostasis, and clinicians have to rely on laboratory measurement to determine their presence and magnitude. Optimum management depends on having a clear understanding of age-associated changes in water homeostasis. Many studies have flawed methodology, but some conclusions can be drawn. There is a diminished thirst, but the relationship of plasma osmolality to arginine vasopressin is at least preserved, and may show increased responsiveness. There is reduced renal function with age and the kidneys' ability to produce a concentrated urine declines. Similarly, the excretion of a water load becomes impaired. Further study is needed of the interaction of specific diseases with these age-associated changes.
老年人有发生水平衡紊乱的风险，临床医生必须依靠实验室检测来确定其是否存在以及严重程度。最佳治疗方案取决于对与年龄相关的水平衡变化有清晰的认识。许多研究方法存在缺陷，但仍可得出一些结论。老年人的口渴感减弱，但血浆渗透压与精氨酸加压素之间的关系至少得以保留，甚至可能显示出反应性增强。随着年龄增长，肾功能减退，肾脏产生浓缩尿液的能力下降。同样，水负荷的排泄也会受损。需要进一步研究特定疾病与这些与年龄相关变化之间的相互作用。
