Fluid balance and affecting factors in the elderly who are hospitalized in internal medicine clinics

This study was conducted in order to examine the factors affecting fluid balance and the fluid balance in the elderly hospitalized in internal medicine clinics, as a descriptive and cross-sectional type. The universe of the research is consisted of hospitalized patients in Dokuz Eylül University Internal Medicine clinics and the sample of the research is constituted from 100 patients who have the ability of cognitive competence, literate, voluntary and more than 0.5-1 ml/kg/h urine output. Research data were collected between 01.07.2013-30.09.2013 in Dokuz Eylul University Internal Medicine clinics, using questionnaires through face to face interviews. Data were assessed by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Mann Whitney U test, correlation, regression and logistic regression analysis. When the fluid balance of patients, participating the study were examined, 48% were found in balance, 52% were found in imbalance. Average of the daily total fluid (IV + oral), taken by patients were found 1290.55 ± 374.03 ml. It was found a positive and medium power correlation between fluid balance situation and total fluids (IV, oral) (p<0,05) and IV fluids (p<0,05) taken by patients. Incontinence which is affecting factor of fluid balance in patients was found effective on fluid balance. (p <0,05). It was not found a statistically significant correlation between age, sex, diagnoses, drugs used, the conditions such as their getting water status, defecation output and and nausea / vomiting. It was determined a positive and medium power correlation between parameters (body weight, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, body temperature, skin turgor tone, 24-hour urine output, urine pH, urine osmolarity) related with fluid balance in patients and fluid balance. Parameters for the fluid balance patients and there was a moderate correlation in the positive direction between fluid balance (p<0,05). According to these results in elderly patients information should be given concerning the fluid balance, health care workers must be renewed in knowledge and increased awareness level; training programs planned for both health workers and patients, their relatives.