Diabetes insipidus

Question 1

What is the definition of diabetes insipidus?

Answer 1

Vasopressin deficiency (cranial) or resistance (nephrogenic)

Question 2

What are the risk factors for diabetes insipidus?

Answer 2

Family history
Brain surgery
Head injury
Pregnancy (rare)

Question 3

How does diabetes insipidus present?

Answer 3

Polyuria
Polydipsia
Pale urine
Tiredness
Irritability

Question 4

What are the investigations for diabetes insipidus?

Answer 4

Urine volume >3L in 24hrs, in presence of high serum osmolality and low urine osmolality

Question 5

What is the management of diabetes insipidus?

Answer 5

Desmopressin - intranasally, orally, sublingually, parenterally

Question 6

What are the complications of diabetes insipidus?

Answer 6

Over treatment can lead to dilutational hyponatraemia
Chronic dehydration
Tachycardia
Weight loss
Fatigue
Hypotension
Kidney damage