Water intoxication in psychiatric patients in Singapore.
The syndrome of water intoxication may occur in psychiatric patients and various hypotheses regarding its aetiology have been postulated. Twenty-seven patients in Woodbridge Hospital were found to have this syndrome. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and biochemical findings of this group of patients. 70.4% had schizophrenia, 25.9% had mental retardation and 3.7% had a history of alcohol dependence. Many of them were on antipsychotic medication. The symptoms of water intoxication included polyuria, nausea, tremors, weight gain, disorientation, coma and fits. A majority of the patients had hyponatraemia during the acute stages and the osmolality of urine and plasma were correspondingly low. A few patients had abnormalities in electroencephalogram and computerised axial tomography of brain. The management of patients with water intoxication is discussed briefly.
Peh
L H
LH
Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore.
Devan
G S
GS
Eu
P W
PW
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012846:Singapore; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism