Desmopressin in elderly women with increased nocturnal diuresis. A short-term study

We report the changes in the pattern of diuresis in 20 women (average age 71 years) with increased nocturnal diuresis who were treated with 20 micrograms desmopressin (Minirin). Before treatment, antidiuretic hormone levels were measured every 4 h over a 24-h period and 75% of the levels were found to be beneath the lowest detectable limit (< 0.4 pmol/l). Nocturnal diuresis decreased by 355 +/- 208 ml and in 8 cases the decrease exceeded 400 ml. Diurnal diuresis, on the other hand, increased by 226 +/- 331 ml. Side effects were mild and occurred in only 2 women.