[Diuretic-induced edema].

The diagnosis of "diuretic-induced oedema" was made in 17 women (mean age 42.4 [23-60] years) who had developed generalized oedema after stopping their (chronic) intake of diuretics. Five patients were between 11 and 32% overweight, five of them were unusually old. A further four patients had severe concomitant diseases, such as primary lymphoedema, mitral valve defect and lupus erythematosus. In 10 of the 17 discontinuation was successful: the initial weight gain averaged 3.9 (1.5-7.5) kg. The maximal weight-gain, in a woman in the course of weaning her of the diuretic, was reversed within 20 days. Diuretic withdrawal after more than 20 years in a woman with mitral valve disease caused heart failure. Diuretic abuse caused prerenal failure in one women, but renal function became normal again after stopping of the diuretic and rehydration.