TY - JOUR
T1 - Predictors of thirst in intensive care unit patients
AU - Stotts, Nancy A.
AU - Arai, Shoshana R.
AU - Cooper, Bruce A.
AU - Nelson, Judith E.
AU - Puntillo, Kathleen A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/3/1
Y1 - 2015/3/1
N2 - Context Thirst is a pervasive, intense, and distressing symptom in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Although thirst may be avoided and/or treated, scant data are available to help providers identify patients most in need. Objectives This study was designed to identify predictors of the presence, intensity, and distress of thirst in ICU patients. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 353 patients from three ICUs (medical-surgical, cardiac, and neurological). To measure outcomes, patients were asked to report the presence of thirst (yes/no) and, if present, to rate its intensity and distress on zero to 10 numeric rating scales (10 = worst). Predictor variables were demographic (e.g., age), treatment-related (e.g., opioids), and biological (e.g., total body water). Data were analyzed with logistic regression and truncated regression with alpha preset at 0.05. Results Thirst presence was predicted by high opioid doses (≥50 mg), high furosemide doses (>60 mg), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and low ionized calcium. Thirst intensity was predicted by patients not receiving oral fluid and having a gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis. Thirst distress was predicted by mechanical ventilation, negative fluid balance, antihypertensive medications, and a GI or "other" diagnosis. Conclusion Thirst presence was predicted by selected medications (e.g., opioids). Thirst intensity and/or thirst distress were predicted by other treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation) and medical diagnoses (e.g., GI). This is one of the first studies describing predictors of the multidimensional characteristics of thirst. Clinicians can use these data to target ICU patients whose thirst might warrant treatment.
AB - Context Thirst is a pervasive, intense, and distressing symptom in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Although thirst may be avoided and/or treated, scant data are available to help providers identify patients most in need. Objectives This study was designed to identify predictors of the presence, intensity, and distress of thirst in ICU patients. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 353 patients from three ICUs (medical-surgical, cardiac, and neurological). To measure outcomes, patients were asked to report the presence of thirst (yes/no) and, if present, to rate its intensity and distress on zero to 10 numeric rating scales (10 = worst). Predictor variables were demographic (e.g., age), treatment-related (e.g., opioids), and biological (e.g., total body water). Data were analyzed with logistic regression and truncated regression with alpha preset at 0.05. Results Thirst presence was predicted by high opioid doses (≥50 mg), high furosemide doses (>60 mg), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and low ionized calcium. Thirst intensity was predicted by patients not receiving oral fluid and having a gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis. Thirst distress was predicted by mechanical ventilation, negative fluid balance, antihypertensive medications, and a GI or "other" diagnosis. Conclusion Thirst presence was predicted by selected medications (e.g., opioids). Thirst intensity and/or thirst distress were predicted by other treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation) and medical diagnoses (e.g., GI). This is one of the first studies describing predictors of the multidimensional characteristics of thirst. Clinicians can use these data to target ICU patients whose thirst might warrant treatment.
KW - ICU
KW - Thirst
KW - palliation
KW - symptom
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84924358757&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.07.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 25116914
AN - SCOPUS:84924358757
SN - 0885-3924
VL - 49
SP - 530
EP - 538
JO - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
JF - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
IS - 3
ER -