The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Thirst: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Clinical Practice
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Thirst is a common symptom of dehydration, significantly impacting patient comfort and recovery post-surgery.
• Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of postoperative thirst is crucial for improving patient care.
• Current evidence on postoperative thirst is limited, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of thirst in patients after surgery.
• To identify risk factors associated with postoperative thirst.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice regarding postoperative thirst management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies.
• Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, etc.).
• Statistical analysis using Stata 15.0 to pool data and assess risk factors.

Main Results:

• Included 11 cross-sectional studies with 20,612 patients.
• Pooled prevalence of postoperative thirst was 76.8%.
• Identified sex, anesthesia drugs, and surgical type as significant risk factors for postoperative thirst.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative thirst is highly prevalent, affecting a significant majority of patients.
• Specific factors like sex, anesthesia drugs, and surgical type are linked to increased thirst.
• Routine assessment and targeted interventions for postoperative thirst are recommended for healthcare professionals to enhance patient care quality.