Ir J Med Sci. 2025 Dec 9. doi: 10.1007/s11845-025-04193-y. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Thirst is common and distressing symptom among critically ill patients, yet its risk factors remain unclear. This review evaluates associations between clinical factors-including age, opioid use, ASA classification, diuretic use, oral rehydration practices, and NPO status-and thirst in critically ill and surgical patients.
METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 2025. Studies assessing risk factors for thirst using validated scales were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects models with DerSimonian-Laird estimation, and heterogeneity was evaluated via Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics. Publication bias was assessed using Doi plots.
RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Meta-analysis of 10 studies comparing age (N = 5644) yielded a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 1.080 years (95%CI: -0.673 to 2.833; p = 0.227; I2 = 83%). Analysis of 5 studies on opioid use (N = 1636) showed a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.84 (95%CI: 0.95-3.56; p = 0.071; I2 = 63%). For ASA classification (5 studies), the pooled OR was 1.196 (95%CI: 0.910-1.482; p < 0.001). Similarly, pooled ORs for diuretic use (1.286; 95%CI: 0.676-2.447), oral rehydration (0.815; 95%CI: 0.362-1.835), and NPO status (0.757; 95%CI: 0.195-2.948) were non-significant.
CONCLUSIONS: Although trends suggest that factors such as opioid use and higher ASA classification may increase odds of thirst, no single risk factor consistently predicts thirst among critically ill patients. Substantial heterogeneity across studies and potential publication bias underscore the need for further well-designed research to clarify these associations.
PMID:41364408 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-025-04193-y
