Clinical Factors Correlated to Delirium Tremens during Acute Alcohol Withdrawal of Inpatients with Alcohol Dependence.
10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.4.164
- Author:
Jun Seok LEE
1
;
Bun Hee LEE
;
Hong JI
;
Gyeong Ho JANG
;
Hye Eun SHIN
Author Information
1. The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation, KARF Hospital, Goyang, Korea. lee.bunhee@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Alcohol dependence;
Delirium tremens;
Clinical factor
- MeSH:
Alanine Transaminase;
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium;
Alcoholism;
Aspartic Acid;
Delirium;
Homocysteine;
Humans;
Inpatients;
Nausea;
Prospective Studies;
Risk Factors;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome;
Tremor
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2012;51(4):164-169
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore clinical factors or high-risk factors associated with occurrence of delirium tremens (DT) during acute alcohol withdrawal in inpatients with alcohol dependence. METHODS: This study included 164 inpatients seeking treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal in the detoxification unit. All subjects were evaluated prospectively for known risk factors for DT and their occurrence of DT. Correlations were determined between risk factors obtained at admission and development of DT. RESULTS: Among all subjects, 42 patients (25.6%) suffered from delirium tremens within seven days after admission. DT patients had more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the presence of past DT, and higher levels of aspartate aminotransferas, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, and homocysteine, compared with patients who did not suffer DTs. According to results of a multiple regression, occurrence of DT showed correlation with the following factors at admission: tremor, a past history of DT, higher homocysteine level, and nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Development of DT showed correlation with symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal, past history of DT, and higher homocysteine level. Among these, a severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and a history of DT are factors that can be easily evaluated on the day of admission in order to predict the potential for occurrence of DT.
