One-year incidence of hyperosmolar states and prognosis in a geriatric acute care unit.

Background: Hyperosmolar syndromes are associated with high mortality rates, yet little is known about their incidence and their prognosis.

Objective: To determine the 1-year incidence of hyperosmolar states and the prognostic factors for in-hospital and 1-year mortality.

Method: A 6-month prospective cohort study was conducted in a 40-bed acute care geriatric unit and included all patients who developed plasma osmolarity of 320 mosm/l or greater.