A quantitative assessment of cognitive state (Folstein's “mini-mental state” scores) was correlated with serum sodium concentration in four patients with the syndrome of self-induced water intoxication and schizophrenic disorders (SIWIS). Diagnostic studies that demonstrated inappropriate antidiuresis in these patients are reported also. Neither absolute serum sodium concentrations nor their daily changes correlated significantly (p > .05) with the cognitive state of any patient. The authors conclude that serial laboratory determinations of serum electrolytes remains the only satisfactory method of monitoring body tonicity in SIWIS patients.
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