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Intoxicated by Water

Polydipsia and Water Intoxication in a Mental Handicap Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Alexander J. Bremner  and
Adrienne Regan
Alexander J. Bremner
Affiliation:
Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6
Adrienne Regan*
Affiliation:
Leavesden Hospital, College Road, Abbots Langley, Herts WD5 0NU
*
∗ Correspondence
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Abstract

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.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 2 , February 1991 , pp. 244 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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