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A Dynamic Simulator for the Management of Disorders of the Body Water Homeostasis

Chronic Disease Systems Modeling Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
Department of Industrial Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
ozgekaranfil{at}gmail.com
ybarlas{at}boun.edu.tr

A dynamic model is built to study the water regulation of human body and related disorders, focusing on the fundamental feedback mechanisms involved in their normal and abnormal physiology. The simulation model is extended to include therapeutic interventions related to the most common body fluid disorder, namely, water intoxication/hyponatremia. The modeling approach is based on system dynamics methodology. Comparisons with experimental and field data show that the model adequately reproduces typical dynamics of the body fluid variables in their normal and diseased states. Finally, an interactive game version is developed to test the possible effects of alternative treatment options on a simulated patient. Simulation and game results reveal the subtleties involved during and after administration of various pharmacological interventions. For example, hypertonic saline should be administered concurrently and in delicate balance with drugs that increase urine flow. The simulator offers a virtual laboratory for experimental research and education on diagnosis and alternative therapies of body water disorders in general and hyponatremia in particular.

Subject classifications: simulation; system dynamics; health care; diagnosis/treatment; games.
History: Received December 2006; revision received May 2008; accepted June 2008.