Prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatients

Introduction: The prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication among psychiatric inpatients has been described in different countries, however few studies have been conducted in Europe. The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication in an European Psychiatric Hospital. Methods: SPGU (Specific Gravity of Urine) and Normalised Diurnal Weight Gain (NDWG) were evaluated among 201 inpatients. Results: Risk of polydipsia and water intoxication were found among 51% of all patients. Risk of primary polydipsia was present in 25% of patients, and primary polydipsia and risk of water intoxication among 25% of all patients. Conclusions: This is one of the unique studies of polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatients in Europe, and the first one conducted in Spain. The development of specific preventative and clinical programmes in psychiatric patients is suggested due to the clinical relevance and high prevalence of this pathology.