Abnormal diurnal weight gain among institutionalized patients with manic-depressive spectrum disorders
Vieweg, W.V.; Godleski, L.S.; Graham, P.; Barber, J.; Goldman, F.; Kellogg, E.; Bayliss, E.V.; Glick, J.; Hundley, P.L.; Yank, G.R.
Psychiatric Medicine 8(4): 129-134
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0732-0868 PMID: 2087566 Document Number: 355392
We found diurnal weight gain to be abnormal among 41 institutionalized patients with manic-depressive spectrum disorders. They were weighed at 7 AM and 4 PM weekly for three weeks. We normalized the diurnal weight gain (NDWG) as a percentage by subtracting the 7 AM weight from the 4 PM weight, multiplying the difference by 100, and then dividing the result by the 7 AM weight. NDWG was 2.216 +/- 1.513 percent for the study population, .631 +/- .405 percent for 16 young, newly admitted controls, and .511 +/- .351 percent for 29 normals. Abnormal NDWG may be an additional feature of manic-depressive spectrum disorders.