Hyponatremia with Neurological Symptom in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia : Five Cases.
- Author:
Gwang Hyun CHO
1
;
Young Chul CHUNG
;
Eun Sung LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Hyponatremia;
Schizophrenia
- MeSH:
Antipsychotic Agents;
Drinking;
Humans;
Hyponatremia*;
Polydipsia;
Polydipsia, Psychogenic;
Schizophrenia*;
Seizures
- From:Korean Journal of Psychopharmacology
2007;18(2):110-117
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Hyponatremia frequently occurs in patients with chronic schizophrenia and has various causes such as compulsive drinking, neuroleptics, and physical illness. If not corrected immediately, it leads to severe problems such as seizures, change in mental status, and even death. We detected five cases of hyponatremia with neurological symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. One case had a long history of primary polydipsia, whereas the other four cases had no history of polydipsia. We speculated that the cause in these latter four cases was neuroleptics or physical illness. All five cases improved with conservative treatment. Possible implications and the need for future study are discussed.
