Rodrigues et al developed a geriatric dehydration screening tool (DST) based on the DST of Vivanti et al. The authors are from University of Lisbon and University of Porto in Portugal.
Patient selection: geriatric (>= 60 years old), community-based and institutionalized
Items related to hydration:
(1) ever feel thirsty
(2) felt thirsty yesterday
(3) like to drink water
(4) choose water if several beverages available
(5) concerned about being well hydrated
Items related to pain:
(1) difficulty moving shoulders, arms or hands
(2) pain interferes with daily activities in the past 2 weeks
(3) have problems with pain of any kind in the past 2 weeks
(4) drop something in the past 2 weeks
(5) number of headaches in the past week
Items are scored 0 if absent or 1 if present.
total hydration score =
= SUM(points for the 5 hydration items)
total pain score =
= SUM(points for the 5 pain items)
Interpretation:
• minimum pain score: 0
• minimum hydration score: 0
• maximum pain score: 5
• maximum hydration score: 5
• A patient who is better hydrated tends to have a higher pain score.
• A patient who is dehydrated may show a low pain score.
• A hydration score >= 3 was associated with better hydration.
• A pain score >= 4 was associated with better hydration.
