COMPULSIVE WATER DRINKING IN THE SETTING OF ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUG-USE - AN UNRECOGNIZED CAUSE OF CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

Compulsive water drinking (psychogenic polydipsia) is a well-recognize d clinical entity that is often seen in individuals with psychiatric d isorders, especially schizophrenia, Although urinary tract abnormaliti es including enlarged bladders and hydronephrosis have been reported, the presence of chronic renal failure is rarely reported in this disor der, We report four patients with psychogenic polydipsia who presented with chronic renal failure due to obstructive uropathy in the absence of demonstrable anatomic causes of obstruction, The likely mechanism of functional obstructive uropathy is bladder failure due to a combina tion of excessive water ingestion, enlarged bladder volumes, and use o f anticholinergic medications. (C) 1995 by the National Kidney Foundat ion, Inc.