Evaluation of the intensity and discomfort of perioperative thirst

Of the 203 participants, 182 (89.6%) reported they were thirsty. The mean intensity of thirst was 6.9 measured using a verbal numerical scale of 0 to 10 and discomfort was 7.3 on a scale of 0 to 14. All attributes evaluated by the scale were cited including dry mouth and desire to drink water (87.3%), dry lips (79.1%), thick tongue feeling (43.4%), thick saliva (56.5%), dry throat (75.2%) and bad taste in the mouth (63.1%). There was a positive correlation between the intensity of thirst and discomfort assessed by the scale (Spearman coefficient: 0.474; p-value: <0.05). No correlation was found between age, length of fasting and use of opioids with the intensity of thirst and discomfort.

Conclusion and implication in the clinical practice:

Discomfort arising from the attributes of thirst is evidenced as the intensity of thirst increases.

Keywords:
Thirst; Nursing; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Period

Variable	Mean	SD
Age (years)	41.5	15.8
	n	%
Sex
Female	116	63.7
Male	66	36.3
Surgical specialty
Gynecology and Obstetrics	58	31.8
Orthopedics	42	23.0
Urology	29	15.9
Others	53	29.3
*Surgical risk classification (ASA)^ * Classification of surgical risk according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.**
I	81	44.5
II	96	52.7
III	5	2.8
Type of care
Elective surgery	111	60.9
Urgent surgery	71	39.1
Opioid use
Yes	173	95.0
No	9	5.0
Anticholinergic agent use
Yes	59	32.4
No	123	67.6
Anesthesia technique
Spinal anesthesia	96	52.7
General Balanced	46	25.2
Spinal anesthesia + General	2	1.0
Epidural Blockage + General	15	8.2
Others	23	12.9

Variable	n	%
Felt thirsty
Yes	182	89.6
No	21	10.4
Reported spontaneously
Yes	22	12.0
No	160	88.0
	Mean	SD
Preoperative fasting time for liquids (hours)	16.2	8.7
Preoperative fasting time for solids (hours)	17.3	9.0
Intensity of thirst (points)^* * Verbal numerical scale (score from 0 to 10);	6.9	2.4
Degree of discomfort (points)^ Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (score from 0 to 14).	7.3	3.7

Attributes of PHDS	N	%	Degree of discomfort
			None	Little	Much
			N	n	n
Dry mouth	159	87.3	23	79	80
Dry lips	144	79.1	38	78	66
Thick tongue feeling	79	43.4	103	53	26
Thick saliva	103	56.5	79	61	42
Dry throat	137	75.2	45	72	65
Bad taste in mouth	115	63.1	67	51	64
Desire to drink water	159	87.3	23	55	104

Variable	Intensity of thirst		Degree of discomfort
Variable	Coefficient^* * Spearman's ρ (rho) test.	p-value	Coefficient^* * Spearman's ρ (rho) test.	p-value
Age	-0.122	0.101	-0.129	0.083
Preoperative fasting time for liquids	0.101	0.174	0.028	0.704
Preoperative fasting time for solids	0.076	0.309	0.077	0.300
Use of opioids	0.020	0.793	-0.044	0.553
Use of anticholinergic	-0.010	0.987	0.057	0.447

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[1] Corresponding author: Isadora Pierotti. E-mail: isa_pierotti@hotmail.com