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Observational Study
. 2023 Feb;32(3-4):465-476.
doi: 10.1111/jocn.16257. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Prevalence of and risk factors for thirst in the intensive care unit: An observational study

Rong Lin  1   2   3 , Hong Li  1   2   3 , Lili Chen  1   2 , Jinyi He  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Prevalence of and risk factors for thirst in the intensive care unit: An observational study

Rong Lin et al. J Clin Nurs. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Aim and objectives: This study investigated the incidence of thirst and contributing factors in intensive care unit (ICU) patients by analysing differences in physiologic, psychological, and disease- and environment-related parameters in ICU patients with vs without thirst.

Background: Little is known about the factors that influence thirst, and there are no standardised methods for identifying at-risk patients in the ICU. Previous studies generalised the risk of thirst in ICU patients because of a lack of data on relevant variables. Here, we examined the factors contributing to thirst based on symptom management theory.

Design: Prospective descriptive design.

Methods: Physiologic, psychological, disease-related and environment-related data were collected for 301 patients from 4 ICUs (medical, surgical, cardiac and emergency ICUs) of a hospital from 15 December 2017-10 July 2019 through a screening interview, questionnaires and from electronic medical records. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, the t-test and chi-squared test, and by logistic regression. Binary stepwise logistic regression was used to identify thirst-associated factors. The findings are reported according to the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies.

Results: In total, 210/301 (69.8%) ICU patients experienced thirst. Risk factors were nil per os order (odds ratio [OR] = 4.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-11.69), surgery (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.11-7.93), high glucose (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.01-11.17) and greater disease severity (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24).

Conclusion: Thirst is common in ICU patients. Timely detection of patients' thirst and identification of those at high risk by ICU nurses can ensure the implementation of effective and safe interventions.

Relevance to clinical practice: The results of this study highlight the need to evaluate thirst symptoms in patients with severe disease and develop relief strategies for fasting, perioperative, and hyperglycaemic patients and others who are at high risk of thirst.

Keywords: intensive care unit; risk factor; thirst.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declared no conflicts of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Framework for the study of thirst in ICU patients based on SMT [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Data collection process [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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