ABSTRACT
Psychogenic polydipsia is a rare condition characterized by overconsumption of water. It can lead to water intoxication, which is potentially a life-threatening situation. Moreover, it usually occurs in patients with mental disorders, mainly schizophrenia. This report discusses a successful treatment of a 16-year-old male with psychogenic polydipsia and delusional disorder presenting to the emergency room with a hyponatremia-induced seizure. After stabilizing the patient, he was referred to a psychologist, and behavioral therapy was conducted. Post-discharge follow-ups revealed that behavioral therapy and the use of self-monitoring technique were effective in controlling the patient's condition. His water intake was reduced from 15 liters per day to three liters per day. This case highlights the importance of psychological assessment for patients with features suggestive of psychogenic polydipsia. It also highlights the need for immediate admission and prompt treatment for such patients as it is a high-risk condition.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection among patients receiving cancer chemotherapy and to identify risk factors for latent TB reactivation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients were surveyed for TB risk factors, their records were reviewed for previous TB infection or disease, and blood samples were collected for interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were included. One hundred and twenty-five were females (62%). Median age was 52 years, and mean age was significantly higher in positive IGRA patients compared to negative IGRA (57.32 vs. 47.27; p = 0.009). Twenty-five patients (12.3%) had evidence of TB infection, 16 (68%) among them had a latent TB infection, while the rest received treatment for an active TB disease. The rate of active disease among cancer patients was 8 (3.9%). Additionally, 92% (23) of those with positive IGRA had solid cancers (p = 0.007), and all active TB cases occurred in this group of solid cancers. CONCLUSION: TB prevalence was higher in chemotherapy patients compared to the general Saudi population. Patients with solid tumors and older age had a greater risk of developing the infection, signifying the importance of preventing TB and malignancy coexistence by initiating screening policies in cancer patients.
