Prevalence and Risk Factors of Polydipsia and Water Intoxication in Psychiatric Inpatients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication and to identify risk factors of polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatient. METHODS: 1,108 Psychiatric inpatients at 2 mental hospitals in Yongin city were studied from September, 2008 to January, 2009. We diagnosed'polydipsia' using staff reports(fluid intake>3L/day) or by specific gravity of urine(SPGU4%). We attempted to identify clinical characteristics of patients by reviewing their medical records. RESULTS: Two hundred forty seven patients(22.3%) were polydipsic. Sixty eight patients(6.1%) were at risk for water intoxication. The factors associated with polydipsia were lithium, smoking, younger age and increased smoking amounts. The factors associated with risk for water intoxication were valproic acid and polydipsia. CONCLUSION: Polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatients are not rare conditions. Therefore, clinicians' attention should be paid to these conditions.