Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate plasma ADH levels and plasma/urine osmolality
in patients suffering from bilateral Menière’s disease since a disturbance in the
water household after thirst challenge is a suspected pathogenic factor in the development
of this disease. In this study the plasma ADH levels and plasma/urine osmolality of
bilateral Menière’s disease patients under thirst challenge were investigated to show
whether the water balance is affected. 9 patients with bilateral Menière’s disease
and 9 healthy controls skipped water intake for 12 h. Plasma ADH, plasma/urine osmolality,
and electrolytes were measured after this thirst period as well as 8 h later after
food and fluid intake. During food and fluid intake the patients demonstrated a slightly
higher plasma ADH level and plasma osmolality than controls, whereas at the end of
the thirst period patients and the controls showed no significant change. Instead
the urine osmolality differed significantly (p<0.001): showing a high urine osmolality
in controls and an almost stable urine osmolality in patients after thirst challenge.
This indicates that the water balance in patients is likely different from that of
controls. These observations point to ADH and its target aquaporine 2 as keyplayers
in the pathophysiological events leading to the development of Menière’s disease.
Key words
bilateral Menière’s disease - thirst challenge - antidiuretic hormone - plasma osmolality
- urine osmolality
