Thirst perception and dryness of mouth in healthy young adults Nigerians

Abstract

This study examined the threshold for thirst perception (TP) using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Thirst perception (TP) and dryness of mouth (DM) were studied in normal subjects, (n = 137; 78 males of height, 1.72 ± 0.01, age, 23 ± 0.26, body mass index, 21.11 ± 0.29, and 59 females of height, 1.65 ± 0.01, age, 21 ± 0.23, body mass index, 21.0 ± 0.27). The results showed that (i) TP and DM in males, (1.21 ± 0.15 cm and 1.14 ± 0.16cm respectively) and in females, (1.10 ± 0.16cm and 1.04 ± 0.17cm respectively) were similar. (ii) The relationship, Thirst (cm) = 0.75 (plasma arginine vasopressin ± 1.2) exists and has a mean of not thirsty of 1.2cm at the lower end of the scale. (iii) The plasma osmolality of 281mOsm/kg cannot be the threshold for TP and the plasma osmolality of 285mOsm/kg or 284.3mOsm/kg cannot be the threshold for plasma arginine vasopressin secretion but rather the mean of the lower set point of the scales for TP and plasma arginine vasopressin [PAVP] secretion. (iv) The threshold for TP using the VAS is between 1.50 - 1.575cm markings, and plasma osmolality of 286.0 - 286.25 mOsm/kg. PAVP of 0.4 - 0.5 pmol/l being the sensitivity of the osmoregulatory unit. © Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group.