Polydipsia and water intoxication in a long-term psychiatric hospital.
This cross-sectional survey attempts to establish the prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication at a state hospital (N = 360) using staff diagnosis, specific gravity of the urine (SPGU), weight changes, and chart review. There were 150 [42%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 37-47%] patients diagnosed as polydipsic by the staff or by SPGU. At least 93 (26%, CI 21-30%) had primary polydipsia not explained by other causes. Chart review identified 17 (5%, CI 3-7%) patients with a history of water intoxication. Using a case-control study design, schizophrenia, extended duration of hospitalization, and heavy smoking were associated with primary polydipsia in a logistic regression analysis (respective odds ratios were 1.6, 1.8, and 3.6). All patients with a history of water intoxication were Caucasian (versus 83% in those without a history) and had significantly more extended hospitalizations (94 vs. 49%). Future case-control studies should combine longitudinal identification of true cases and controls and exhaustive collections of clinical information in a standardized way.
de Leon
J
J
Medical College of Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, Philadelphia, USA.
Dadvand
M
M
Canuso
C
C
Odom-White
A
A
Stanilla
J
J
Simpson
G M
GM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006783:Hospitals, State / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*