J Educ Res Nurs. Ahead of Print: JERN-62667 | DOI: 10.14744/jern.2025.62667

Thirst Distress and Associated Factors in Hospitalized Internal Medicine Patients: A Descriptive Study

Selma Atay, Şengül Üzen Cura, Meltem Çimen
Department of Nursing, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Health Sciences, Çanakkale, Türkiye

Background: Thirst is a distressing yet often overlooked symptom in hospitalized patients, particularly those under fluid or oral intake restrictions. Despite its relevance to patient comfort, its clinical determinants remain insufficiently studied in internal medicine settings. Nurses, as primary providers of symptom management, play a critical role in recognizing and addressing thirst.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the level of thirst distress among patients hospitalized in internal medicine units and to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with thirst.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed in the internal medicine units of a tertiary hospital between July and December 2024. Using the known population formula at a 95% confidence level, 271 patients meeting inclusion criteria were recruited. Data were collected through a Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire and the Thirst Discomfort Scale (TDS). Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression.

Results: According to the results of the study, among the patients, 52.4% were male, and the participants had a mean age of 65.92±14.63 years and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.47±4.78 kg/m2. Most patients had no dietary restrictions, with 91.5% reporting no oral restriction, 93.4% no fluid restriction, and 50.6% no salt restriction. The mean total TDS score was 26.36±11.04, reflecting a low-to-moderate level of thirst distress. Higher levels of thirst distress were observed among patients who were female, consumed alcohol, had oral or fluid restrictions, were diagnosed with hypertension, or used opioids (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified female gender (B=4.75, p=0.004) and oral restriction (B=8.04, p=0.02) as independent predictors of thirst distress.

Conclusion: Although thirst distress was generally low to moderate, certain groups—specifically those with oral or fluid restrictions, alcohol use, hypertension, or opioid therapy—reported significantly higher discomfort. Integrating routine thirst assessment, oral care, and individualized fluid management into nursing protocols may improve patient outcomes and enhance comfort.

Keywords: Fluid restriction, hospitalized patients, internal medicine, thirst, thirst distress

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