Elderly female patients in continuing care: why are they hyperosmolar?

We have shown that the majority of elderly female patients in continuing care are in a hyperosmolar state. Thirty-two out of thirty-nine subjects had an osmolality greater than 295 mosm/kg and the mean osmolality was 302 +/- 8 mosm/kg (range 280-317 mosm/kg). No significant relationship was found with the degree of confusion (rs = 0.31; p greater than 0.05). In the second part of the study neither the measured degree of hydration, or any acute, small increases in fluid input influenced the plasma osmolality.