Water Intake and MRI-detected Brain Infarction in Elderly from the KOBE Study: A Preliminary Study
Abstract
Background: While increased water intake is frequently recommended for the prevention of brain infarction, there is limited evidence available on this topic. This study aimed to investigate the association between non-alcoholic fluid (NAD) intake and the prevalence of brain infarction in community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: This study was conducted as a sub-analysis of a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling healthy adults, the KOBE study. From the participants in the 2016–2017 survey (n = 1013), we included 120 individuals who underwent brain MRI in 2021–2023; men/women: 55/65, aged ≥ 75 years. We identified the lower segment of NAD intake based on the lowest tertile of the cohort distribution. Logistic regression models were then used to examine the association between this threshold and MRI-defined brain infarction.
Results: The mean age at the time of MRI was 78.5 ± 2.2 years. Brain infarction was identified in 18 participants (15.0%). The lower-third boundary of daily NAD intake within the cohort distribution was found to be approximately 1,300 ml/day. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower NAD intake was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of MRI-defined brain infarction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-20.86; p = 0.024), after adjusting for age, sex, survey season, water intake awareness, smoking history, drinking history, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, hematocrit, and serum osmolality.
Conclusions: Although this preliminary study is limited by its small sample size and cross-sectional assessment of water intake at a single time point, our findings suggest that even temporary periods of insufficient hydration during late adulthood may be associated with an increased risk of brain infarction. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term impact of fluid consumption habits.
Key messages: • This preliminary study suggests lower non-alcoholic drink intake habits may be associated with brain ischemic changes in the elderly
• Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term impact of fluid consumption habits.
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BibTeX
@article{nishikawa2026water,
title = {{Water Intake and MRI-detected Brain Infarction in Elderly from the KOBE Study: A Preliminary Study}},
author = {T Nishikawa and N Miyamatsu and A Higashiyama and I Akiguchi and Y Kubota and Y Nishida and T Hirata and A Hirata and J Miyazaki and T Okamura},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1107},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1107},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Water Intake and MRI-detected Brain Infarction in Elderly from the KOBE Study: A Preliminary Study
AU - T Nishikawa
AU - N Miyamatsu
AU - A Higashiyama
AU - I Akiguchi
AU - Y Kubota
AU - Y Nishida
AU - T Hirata
AU - A Hirata
AU - J Miyazaki
AU - T Okamura
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1107
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1107
AB - Background: While increased water intake is frequently recommended for the prevention of brain infarction, there is limited evidence available on this topic. This study aimed to investigate the association between non-alcoholic fluid (NAD) intake and the prevalence of brain infarction in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study was conducted as a sub-analysis of a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling healthy adults, the KOBE study. From the participants in the 2016–2017 survey (n = 1013), we included 120 individuals who underwent brain MRI in 2021–2023; men/women: 55/65, aged ≥ 75 years. We identified the lower segment of NAD intake based on the lowest tertile of the cohort distribution. Logistic regression models were then used to examine the association between this threshold and MRI-defined brain infarction. Results: The mean age at the time of MRI was 78.5 ± 2.2 years. Brain infarction was identified in 18 participants (15.0%). The lower-third boundary of daily NAD intake within the cohort distribution was found to be approximately 1,300 ml/day. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower NAD intake was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of MRI-defined brain infarction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-20.86; p = 0.024), after adjusting for age, sex, survey season, water intake awareness, smoking history, drinking history, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, hematocrit, and serum osmolality. Conclusions: Although this preliminary study is limited by its small sample size and cross-sectional assessment of water intake at a single time point, our findings suggest that even temporary periods of insufficient hydration during late adulthood may be associated with an increased risk of brain infarction. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term impact of fluid consumption habits. Key messages: • This preliminary study suggests lower non-alcoholic drink intake habits may be associated with brain ischemic changes in the elderly • Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term impact of fluid consumption habits.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -