In a study of elderly patients admitted to the emergency department, indicators that correlated best
with dehydration severity (but were unrelated to patient age) included dry tongue, dry oral mucosa, and
longitudinal tongue furrows (all with p <0.001). Other statistically significant indicators are upper body
muscle weakness and confusion (p <0.001) and speech difficulty/sunken eyes (p <0.01).
with dehydration severity (but were unrelated to patient age) included dry tongue, dry oral mucosa, and
longitudinal tongue furrows (all with p <0.001). Other statistically significant indicators are upper body
muscle weakness and confusion (p <0.001) and speech difficulty/sunken eyes (p <0.01).