Primary polydipsia. Syndrome of inappropriate thirst.

Abstract

A patient with lifelong severe polyuria and polydipsia had normal serum antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels and responded to water deprivation with a prompt increase in urine osmolality and maintenance of normal plasma osmolality (less than 290 mOsm/kg), despite extreme thirst. When treated with desmopressin acetate and allowed free access to water, she was able to reduce plasma osmolality below 270 mOsm/kg, and her compelling thirst disappeared. The disorder is interpreted to be the result of excessive fluid intake in response to a thirst stimulus that was not inhibited by normal plasma osmolality. This study indicates that osmoreceptor control of ADH secretion is normal. Continued administration of vasopressin has relieved the symptoms and has not resulted in water intoxication.

• Authors: R C Mellinger, M S Zafar
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 143 Issue 6 Pg. 1249-51 (Jun 1983) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6860053 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vasopressins
• Deamino Arginine Vasopressin

Topics

• Adult
• Deamino Arginine Vasopressin (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Osmolar Concentration
• Polyuria (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Pregnancy
• Syndrome
• Thirst (physiology)
• Vasopressins (blood, therapeutic use)