1/3. Treatment of psychogenic polydipsia: comparison of risperidone and olanzapine, and the effects of an adjunctive angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug (irbesartan).OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the outcome of novel strategies in managing a case of severe polydipsia. CLINICAL PICTURE: The patient was a 39-year-old male with a 20-year history of paranoid schizophrenia who, despite only mild residual psychotic symptoms, had been hospitalized for the previous 10 years because of severe polydipsic behaviour complicated by water intoxication. TREATMENT: Novel antipsychotic agents, risperidone and olanzapine, as well as the specific angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug, irbesartan were employed at selected intervals in a study lasting nearly 3 years. A strict behavioural management programme was ongoing, in which diurnal weight change and the number of breaches of weight limits, requiring management in a low-stimulus environment, were documented on a daily basis. Summary measures of diurnal weight change and behavioural intervention were charted against changes in treatment. OUTCOME: Polydipsic behaviour improved on risperidone up to 4 mg daily, but was not sustained. Olanzapine was similarly successful in stabilizing polydipsia, and improvement was achieved with the addition of irbesartan. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the D2-sparing profiles of receptor binding achieved with low-dose risperidone and olanzapine may account for this beneficial effect. The benefit derived with irbesartan implicates the involvement of brain angiotensin systems centrally in helping to regulate drinking behaviour.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Intoxicated by water. polydipsia and water intoxication in a mental handicap hospital.A cross-sectional survey of the drinking habits of 877 mentally handicapped in-patients revealed 31 patients (prevalence 3.5%) who, in the opinion of nurses, drank five litres or more daily. Low urine specific gravity was a less useful indicator of polydipsia. polydipsia appeared to be significantly associated with a borderline level of handicap and with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, autism or severe personality/behaviour disorder. Of five cases of water intoxication associated with polydipsia, one was fatal. In two cases excess drinking improved with increased neuroleptic medication. lithium and demeclocycline were used in two cases to prevent hyponatraemic episodes.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Screening patients with mental retardation for polydipsia.OBJECTIVES: To determine whether caregiver responses to a screening question are a reliable method of identifying polydipsia (excessive water drinking) in institutionalized residents with mental retardation. To review the etiology, acute and chronic clinical manifestations, and care of polydipsia and water intoxication. METHOD: This paper presents an assessment of interrater reliability for a screening question for polydipsia using responses of primary caregivers of preidentified polydipsia cases (n = 32) and matched controls (n = 33) in a large Canadian institution for developmentally handicapped adults. A chart review of all cases of identified water intoxication is also provided. The behavioural outcomes of preventive measures for water intoxication are described. RESULTS: The screening instrument was reliable, having a kappa (interrater reliability) of 0.73. Several case descriptions illustrate typical presentations of water intoxication in this population. CONCLUSIONS: polydipsia is reliably identified by caregiver responses to a screening question. It should be screened for regularly to ensure appropriate care to prevent important acute and chronic complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |