Thirst Intensity Research Articles

Effectiveness of Thirst Bundle on Thirst and Dry Mouth among Patients Admitted in Intensive Care Units

Thirst can be defined as a longing or desire to drink water, not necessarily generated by a physiological need,but also triggered by habit, taste, dry mouth or throat, the will to consume fluids that provide a sensationof heating or cooling.1,2Moderate to severe thirst was similarly reported by 70% of 100 ICU patients.20Prevalence estimates for dry mouth may vary and are dependent on factors such as the nature of the sample(age, gender, health etc.)3. A quasi-experimental study by using purposive sampling technique was conductedon 40 patients admitted in ICUs of tertiary care hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data was collected by usingcategorical thirst intensity scale and challecombe clinical oral dryness scale for thirst intensity and drymouth. The findings of the study showed that Majority of the patients 14(70%) having very very thirstylevel of thirst intensity among experimental group and 16(80%) of the patients having very thirsty level ofthirst intensity among control group Pre-interventional. Most of the patients 13 (65%) among experimentalgroup and Maximum of the patients 19 (95%) among control group were having Moderate dryness Preinterventional. More than half of the patients 12(60%) having thirsty level of thirst intensity amongexperimental group and Majority of the patients 16(80%) having very thirsty level of thirst intensity amongcontrol group post interventional 20(100%) of the patients were having Mild clinical oral dryness amongexperimental group and Maximum of the patients 19(95%) were having Moderate dryness among controlgroup Post-interventional. Majority of the patients having very very thirsty level of thirst intensity amongthe experimental group pre-interventional and post-interventional majority of the patients having thirstylevel of thirst Intensity. Majority of the patients having moderate level of oral dryness, pre-interventionaland all of the patients having mild level of oral dryness post-interventional. Comparison of Thirst intensityamong experimental and control group patients found to be statistically significant. Comparison of oraldryness among experimental and control group patients found to be statistically significant.

Effectiveness of an Intervention Bundle on Thirst Intensity and Dry Mouth among Patients Admitted in Intensive Care Units

Effectiveness of an Intervention Bundle on Thirst Intensity and Dry Mouth among Patients Admitted in Intensive Care Units

Transcultural adaptation of the Thirst Distress Scale (TDS) into Brazilian Portuguese and an analysis of the psychometric properties of the scale for patients on hemodialysis

Objective:To produce a transcultural adaptation of the Thirst Distress Scale (TDS) into Brazilian Portuguese and analyze the scale’s psychometric properties for patients on hemodialysis (HD).Methods:The original scale was translated, back translated, and discussed with psychometric assessment experts. The final version was tested with 126 patients on HD and retested with 70 individuals from the original patient population. Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure the scale’s internal consistency. Reliability of thirst intensity evaluated via the visual analogue scale (VAS) was tested with Kappa statistic and the Bland-Altman plot. Reproducibility was assessed based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results:The wording of three items and the verb tenses of six had to be adjusted in the final version of the Brazilian Portuguese TDS. Comprehension of the scale by patients on HD was good, the scale’s internal consistency was satisfactory (0.84; p<0.001), agreement with a visual analogue scale (VAS) was moderate (kappa=0.44; p<0.001), and reproducibility neared perfection (ICC=0.87; p<0.001).Conclusion:Our results showed that the Brazilian Portuguese version of the scale might be used reliably. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the TDS is a practical, affordable, accessible and well-accepted tool that has a lot to offer for the management of patients with HD.

The use of mentholated popsicle to reduce thirst during preoperative fasting: A randomised controlled trial.

To compare mentholated popsicle with usual care (absolute fasting) in the change of thirst intensity and discomfort of patients in the preoperative fasting. Thirst is defined as the desire to drink water, and it is considered to be a multifactorial symptom. In the preoperative fasting, the patient may experience intense thirst, often for a long time, that can lead to feelings of suffocation, desperation, fear and anxiety. A randomised controlled trial. Forty patients, aged between 18-60years, were randomised to mentholated popsicle group or absolute fasting group (twenty in each). The primary outcomes were thirst intensity, evaluated by a numeric scale ranging from 0 (no thirst)-10 (the worst possible thirst), and discomfort from thirst (evaluated by the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale), both measured twice (baseline and after 20min of intervention). The CONSORT checklist was used to report this study. Mean age was similar in both groups (38years in the mentholated popsicle group and 39 in the absolute fasting group). At baseline, the mentholated popsicle group had higher median for the scales of intensity (6.5) and discomfort (7.5) from thirst than the absolute fasting group (5.0 and 5.0, respectively). At the end of 20min, the popsicle group had a statistically significant decrease in intensity and discomfort from thirst (median decreases of 5.0 and 7.0 points, respectively) when compared to the absolute fasting group (median increases of 0.5 and 1.0 points, respectively). The use of mentholated popsicle decreased the intensity and discomfort from thirst, and it is a viable strategy for the management of thirst in the preoperative fasting. In the preoperative fasting, making mentholated popsicles available to patients is an easy strategy to manage thirst, which might lead to better care.

Influence of Peak Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Changes on Restoration of Fluid Balance After Induced Dehydration.

The present study examined the impact of hormonal differences between late follicular (LF) and midluteal (ML) phases on restoration of fluid balance following dehydration. Ten eumenorrheic female participants were dehydrated by 2% of their body mass through overnight fluid restriction followed by exercise-heat stress. Trials were undertaken during the LF (between Days 10 and 13 of the menstrual cycle) and ML phases (between Days 18 and 23 of the menstrual cycle) with one phase repeated to assess reliability of observations. Following dehydration, participants ingested a volume equivalent to 100% of mass loss of a commercially available sports drink in four equal volumes over 30min. Mean serum values for steroid hormones during the ML (estradiol [E2]: 92 ± 11pg/ml, progesterone: 19 ± 4ng/ml) and LF (estradiol [E2]: 232 ± 64pg/ml, progesterone: 3 ± 2ng/ml) were significantly different between phases. Urine tests confirmed no luteinizing hormone surge evident during LF trials. There was no effect of menstrual cycle phase on cumulative urine volume during the 3-hr rehydration period (ML: 630 [197-935]ml, LF: 649 [180-845]ml) with percentage of fluid retained being 47% (33-85)% on ML and 46% (37-89)% on LF (p = .29). There was no association between the progesterone:estradiol ratio and fluid retained in either phase. Net fluid balance, urine osmolality, and thirst intensity were not different between phases. No differences in sodium (ML: -61 [-36 to -131]mmol, LF: -73 [-5 to -118]mmol; p = .45) or potassium (ML: -36 [-11 to -80]mmol, LF: -30 [-19 to -89]mmol; p = .96) balance were observed. Fluid replacement after dehydration does not appear to be affected by normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic young women.

Thirst in Patients With Heart Failure in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Japan.

Thirst is a distressing symptom and influences quality of life of patients with heart failure (HF). Knowledge about thirst in HF is insufficient; therefore, the aim of this study was to describe factors related to thirst, self-reported reasons for thirst, and interventions to relieve thirst in 3 different countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Japan. Patients were recruited at the HF clinic or during HF hospitalization. Thirst was assessed by a visual analog scale (0-100); reasons for thirst and interventions to relieve thirst were assessed by an open-ended questionnaire. Patients were divided into low and high thirst based on the first and third tertiles of the visual analog scale. Two hundred sixty-nine patients participated in the study (age, 72 ± 12 years). Mean thirst intensity was 24 ± 24, with a mean thirst of 53 ± 15 in the highest tertile. No significant differences in thirst among the 3 countries were found. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that a higher dose of loop diuretics (odds ratio, 3.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-8.06) and fluid restriction (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-4.32) were related to thirst. The most reported reasons for thirst were salty/spicy food (20%) and low fluid intake (18%). Most of the patients (56%) drank more in case of thirst; 20% only drank a little bit, probably related to a fluid restriction. Thirst in patients with HF was related to a higher dose of loop diuretics and fluid restriction. Healthcare providers should realize that it is important to assess thirst regularly and reconsider the need of a fluid restriction and the amount of loop diuretics in case of thirst.

Package of menthol measures for thirst relief: a randomized clinical study.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the menthol package (lip hydration and ice popsicles) compared to a package of non-menthol measures (lip hydration and ice popsicles) as a way to relieve thirst in patients in the Anesthetic Recovery Room. Randomized and parallel trial study, with 120 patients randomized patients in an experimental group - menthol measurements (n=59) and control group - measures without menthol (n = 61). There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in intensity, hydration, dryness and taste in the oral cavity between the three moments of assessment/intervention in the two groups. The difference was significant in the experimental group for thirst intensity at the second assessment/intervention point (p<0.05) after a single administration of the menthol package. There was a reduction in thirst intensity in both groups. Patients who received menthol packages showed a significant decrease in intensity after a single evaluation/intervention time. NCT: 02869139.

Association of Persistent Intense Thirst With Delirium Among Critically Ill Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

ContextThirst is a prevalent distressing symptom often reported by patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Little is known about the association of thirst with delirium. ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the relationship between thirst and delirium. MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 401 patients who were evaluated for thirst intensity in the ICU between March 2017 and October 2017. We assessed thirst intensity on a scale of 0–10 (with 10 being the worst) and defined intense thirst as a score ≥8. If intense thirst persisted for more than 24 hours, we defined it as persistent intense thirst. Delirium was screened using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses were performed. ResultsOf 401 patients, 66 (16.5%) had intense thirst sensation for more than 24 hours. After matching, patients with persistent intense thirst showed an increased risk for delirium compared with those without persistent intense thirst (odds ratio, 4.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.58–9.48; P < 0.001). Propensity score weighted logistic regression analysis also indicated that persistent intense thirst was significantly associated with delirium (odds ratio, 5.74; 95% confidence interval, 2.53–12.99; P < 0.001). ConclusionIntense thirst persisting for more than 24 hours was associated with increased risk for delirium.

Effect of a Scheduled Nurse Intervention on Thirst and Dry Mouth in Intensive Care Patients.

Thirst is a common, intense symptom reported by hospitalized patients. No studies indicate frequency of use of ice water and lip moisturizer with menthol to ameliorate thirst and dry mouth. In an audit of 30 intensive care unit patients at a 580-bed community teaching hospital, 66% reported dry mouth with higher thirst distress and intensity scores than in published studies. To evaluate the effectiveness of scheduled use of ice water oral swabs and lip moisturizer with menthol compared with unscheduled use in relieving thirst and dry mouth for intensive care unit patients. In a quasi-experimental design, adult patients admitted to 2 intensive care units at a community hospital were provided with ice water oral swabs and lip moisturizer with menthol upon request. The intervention was unscheduled in 1 unit and scheduled in the other unit. The scheduled intervention was provided hourly during a 7-hour period (n = 62 participants). The unscheduled intervention consisted of usual care (n = 41 participants). A numeric rating scale (0-10) was used to measure thirst intensity, thirst distress, and dry mouth before and after 7 hours in both groups. The scheduled-use group had significant lessening of thirst intensity (P = .02) and dry mouth (P = .008). Thirst distress in the scheduled-use group did not differ from that in the unscheduled-use group (P = .07). Scheduled use of ice water oral swabs and lip moisturizer with menthol may lessen thirst intensity and dry mouth in critical care patients.

Menthol chewing gum on preoperative thirst management: randomized clinical trial.

Objective to evaluate the effectiveness of menthol chewing gum, in the relief of the intensity and discomfort of the surgical patient’s thirst in the preoperative period.Method a randomized controlled trial, with 102 patients in the preoperative period, randomized in a control group, with usual care, and an experimental group, which received menthol gum, which was the study treatment variable. The primary clinical outcome was the variation in thirst intensity, evaluated by the Numeral Verbal Scale, and the secondary, the variation of the discomfort of thirst, evaluated by the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare measures between groups. The significance level adopted was of 0.05.Results menthol chewing gum significantly reduced the intensity (p <0.001), with Cohen’s medium-effect d, and thirst discomfort (p <0.001), with a large-effect Cohen’s d.Conclusion menthol chewing gum was effective in reducing the intensity and discomfort of preoperative thirst. The strategy proved to be an innovative, feasible and safe option in the use for the surgical patient, in the management of the preoperative thirst, in elective surgeries. NCT: 03200197.

Frequency of Oral Care to Address Thirst: A Practice in Search of Evidence.

The use of oral chlorhexidine gluconate twice a day in intubated patients is a well-established practice for reducing the risk of ventilator-associated events and is based on a strong foundation of research (level A, AACN levels of evidence). Because of that research, we know that oral care reduces the dental plaque that contributes to infection and development of ventilator-associated events. However, the same is not true of frequency of oral care for patient comfort, specifically for the mitigation of thirst and dry mouth (level E, AACN levels of evidence). No clinical studies support the practice of oral moisturizing every 2 to 4 hours.VonStein et al attempt to address the lack of research to support frequency of oral care in their study “Effect of a Scheduled Nurse Intervention on Thirst and Dry Mouth in Intensive Care Patients.” Ice-cold-water oral swabs and oral moisturizer were applied to the oral mucosa every hour as part of hourly rounding instead of the standard 2 to 4 hours. Thirst intensity decreased significantly in the patients receiving hourly oral care. The study was small and was limited to 1 type of intensive care unit, but the results are promising. More research is needed to determine how often oral care for comfort should be provided.

Trajectory of thirst intensity and distress from admission to 4-weeks follow up at home in patients with heart failure.

BackgroundPatients with heart failure (HF) can suffer from increased thirst intensity and distress. Trajectories of thirst intensity and distress from hospital to home are unclear. The aim of this study was to describe thirst intensity and distress trajectories in patients from the time of hospital admission to 4 weeks after discharge, and describe trajectories of thirst intensity and distress by patients’ characteristics (gender, age, body mass index [BMI], plasma urea, anxiety, and depression).Patients and methodsIn this observational study, data were collected from patients with HF (n=30) at hospital admission, discharge, and at 2 and 4 weeks after discharge. Thirst intensity (visual analog scale, 100 mm) and distress (Thirst Distress Scale-HF, score 9–45) were used. Trajectories were examined using growth modeling.ResultsTrajectory of the thirst intensity was significantly different, for patients with low and high thirst intensity levels (median cut-off 39 mm), from admission to 4 weeks follow up (thirst increased and decreased, respectively). Patients with high level of thirst distress (median score >22) at admission, having fluid restriction and women continued to have higher thirst distress over time. Patients feeling depressed had higher thirst intensity over time. There were no differences in the trajectories of thirst intensity and distress by age, BMI, plasma urea, and anxiety.ConclusionIntensity and distress of thirst, having fluid restriction, and feeling depressed at the admission were critical in predicting the trajectory of thirst intensity and distress after discharge to home in patients with HF. Effective intervention relieving thirst should be provided before their discharge to home.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with heart failure.

Patients with heart failure can experience thirst distress. However, there is no instrument to measure this in patients with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to develop the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with Heart Failure (TDS-HF) and to evaluate psychometric properties of the scale. The TDS-HF was developed to measure thirst distress in patients with heart failure. Face and content validity was confirmed using expert panels including patients and healthcare professionals. Data on the TDS-HF was collected from patients with heart failure at outpatient heart failure clinics and hospitals in Sweden, the Netherlands and Japan. Psychometric properties were evaluated using data from 256 heart failure patients (age 72±11 years). Concurrent validity of the scale was assessed using a thirst intensity visual analogue scale. Patients did not have any difficulties answering the questions, and time taken to answer the questions was about five minutes. Factor analysis of the scale showed one factor. After psychometric testing, one item was deleted. For the eight item TDS-HF, a single factor explained 61% of the variance and Cronbach's alpha was 0.90. The eight item TDS-HF was significantly associated with the thirst intensity score ( r=0.55, p<0.001). Regarding test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88, and the weighted kappa values ranged from 0.29-0.60. The eight-item TDS-HF is valid and reliable for measuring thirst distress in patients with heart failure.

INTERVENTION OF THIRSTY IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF) PATIENTS TO INCREASED ADHERENCE OF FLUID RESTRICTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction. Thirst is a common symptom of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Difficulties to adherence with fluid restrictions are among the effects of thirst in HF patients and therefore have an impact on worsening condition, but intervention studies aimed specifically at reducing thirst in CHF are lacking.Purpose. Purpose of this manuscript is to assess the effective intervention to reduce thirst intensity in CHF patients.Methods. Medline, Pubmed, EBSCO and hand search were searched using the key words thirst, intervention, heart failure, CHF, fluis restriction, therapy.Result.� Eighteen articles were found, six studies were inluded. Any kind of interventions in each articles, include: drink cold water 5oC, chewing gum, saliva substitute, sucking ice cubes and three bundle of interventions (oral swab, water sprays and menthol moisturizer).Conclusions. The most effective interventions to alleviate thirst was sucking ice cubes. But, no intervention studies were found in congestive heart failure patients. So investigations in people with heart failure is needed.�Keywords: thirst, intervention, heart failure, systematic review

Efficacy of an Ice Popsicle on Thirst Management in the Immediate Postoperative Period: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Perioperative thirst is an intense discomfort with high incidence in the immediate postoperative period, but nonetheless, it is highly neglected in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an ice popsicle compared with water at room temperature for thirst relief in the immediate postoperative period in terms of variation in the intensity of the initial compared with the final thirst and the satiety reached after an hour of evaluation and intervention. A parallel randomized clinical trial was used. A total of 208 patients in the immediate postoperative period were assessed for 1 hour, every 15 minutes. Thirst intensity was assessed initially and subsequently; interventions were performed according to the group: (1) control group, 10 mL of water at room temperature; and (2) experimental group, 10-mL ice popsicle. The ice popsicle was 37.8% (P < .01) more effective than water regarding the intensity variation between the initial and final thirst. The thirst intensity and number of interventions were different for the two groups as from the second moment (P < .01). Regarding not reaching satiety after an hour of evaluation and intervention, the relative risk was 41%, the relative risk reduction was 59%, the absolute risk reduction was 31%, and the number needed to treat was 3.2. Ice popsicle has greater efficacy than water at room temperature for thirst management in the immediate postoperative period.

Changes in Thirst Intensity During Optimization of Heart Failure Medical Therapy by Nurses at the Outpatient Clinic.

Thirst can be aggravated in patients with heart failure (HF), and optimization of HF medication can have positive impact on thirst. The aims of this study were to describe changes in thirst intensity and to determine factors associated with high thirst intensity during optimization of HF medication. Patients with HF (N = 66) who were referred to an HF clinic for up-titration of HF medication were included. Data were collected during the first visit to the clinic and at the end of the treatment program. Data were dichotomized by the median visual analog scale score for thirst, dividing patients into 2 groups: low thirst intensity (0-20 mm) and high thirst intensity (>20 mm on a visual analog scale of 0-100 mm). In total, 67% of the patients reported a higher thirst intensity after the HF up-titration program. There was no difference in thirst intensity between the patients who reached target doses and those who did not. Plasma urea level (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.65) and fluid restriction (odds ratio, 6.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-20.5) were independently associated with high thirst intensity in patients with HF. Thirst intensity increased in two-thirds of the patients during a time period of optimization of HF medication. Fluid restriction and plasma urea levels were associated with high thirst intensity.

Predictors of Thirst in Intensive Care Unit Patients

ContextThirst is a pervasive, intense, and distressing symptom in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Although thirst may be avoided and/or treated, scant data are available to help providers identify patients most in need. ObjectivesThis study was designed to identify predictors of the presence, intensity, and distress of thirst in ICU patients. MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 353 patients from three ICUs (medical-surgical, cardiac, and neurological). To measure outcomes, patients were asked to report the presence of thirst (yes/no) and, if present, to rate its intensity and distress on zero to 10 numeric rating scales (10=worst). Predictor variables were demographic (e.g., age), treatment-related (e.g., opioids), and biological (e.g., total body water). Data were analyzed with logistic regression and truncated regression with alpha preset at 0.05. ResultsThirst presence was predicted by high opioid doses (≥50mg), high furosemide doses (>60mg), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and low ionized calcium. Thirst intensity was predicted by patients not receiving oral fluid and having a gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis. Thirst distress was predicted by mechanical ventilation, negative fluid balance, antihypertensive medications, and a GI or “other” diagnosis. ConclusionThirst presence was predicted by selected medications (e.g., opioids). Thirst intensity and/or thirst distress were predicted by other treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation) and medical diagnoses (e.g., GI). This is one of the first studies describing predictors of the multidimensional characteristics of thirst. Clinicians can use these data to target ICU patients whose thirst might warrant treatment.

Measurement of thirst in chronic heart failure – A review

Background: Thirst is a bothersome symptom of chronic heart failure (CHF) which impacts adversely on quality of life. Despite this, limited work has been done to investigate thirst as a symptom or to develop reliable and valid measures of thirst in CHF. The purpose of this manuscript is to establish which tools have been used in research to measure thirst in CHF. Methods: Medline, PubMed, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus were searched using following key words thirst, heart failure, measure, scale, randomised controlled trials and multicentre studies. Results: The search discovered 37 studies of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. One study was a research abstract and five were full-text studies. To date, there are only three measurement tools utilised in studies examining thirst in CHF patients [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale and Thirst Distress Scale]. Conclusion: Thirst in CHF is measured in a non-systematic way. In recent studies, the VAS has been used to measure thirst intensity. While this measurement tool is very easy and quick to administer, using a uni-dimensional tool in conjunction with a multi-dimensional tool may be beneficial to capture all dimensions of thirst. In order to manage thirst efficiently, consistent measurement of thirst in CHF is vital.

Measurement of thirst in chronic heart failure - A review.

Abstract Background: Thirst is a bothersome symptom of chronic heart failure (CHF) which impacts adversely on quality of life. Despite this, limited work has been done to investigate thirst as a symptom or to develop reliable and valid measures of thirst in CHF. The purpose of this manuscript is to establish which tools have been used in research to measure thirst in CHF. Medline, PubMed, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus were searched using following key words thirst, heart failure, measure, scale, randomised controlled trials and multicentre studies. The search discovered 37 studies of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. One study was a research abstract and five were full-text studies. To date, there are only three measurement tools utilised in studies examining thirst in CHF patients [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale and Thirst Distress Scale]. Thirst in CHF is measured in a non-systematic way. In recent studies, the VAS has been used to measure thirst intensity. While this measurement tool is very easy and quick to administer, using a uni-dimensional tool in conjunction with a multi-dimensional tool may be beneficial to capture all dimensions of thirst. In order to manage thirst efficiently, consistent measurement of thirst in CHF is vital.

Measurement of thirst in chronic heart failure- a review.

Abstract Background: Thirst is a bothersome symptom of chronic heart failure (CHF) which impacts adversely on quality of life. Despite this, limited work has been done to investigate thirst as a symptom or to develop reliable and valid measures of thirst in CHF. The purpose of this manuscript is to establish which tools have been used in research to measure thirst in CHF. Methods: Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched using following key words thirst, heart failure, measure, scale, randomised controlled trials and multicentre studies. Results: The search discovered 37 studies of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. One study was a research abstract and five were full- text studies. To date, there are only three measurement tools utilised in studies examining thirst in CHF patients (Visual Analogue Scale, Numeric Rating Scale and Thirst Distress Scale). Conclusion: Thirst in CHF is measured in a non- systematic way. In recent studies, the VAS has been used to measure thirst intensity. While this measurement tool is very easy and quick to administer, using a uni-dimensional tool in conjunction with a multi-dimensional tool may be beneficial to capture all dimensions of thirst. In order to manage thirst efficiently, consistent measurement of thirst in CHF is vital.