BACKGROUD: It is generally acknowledged that a close relationship exists between chronic alcohol abuse and the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal seizure(AWS). About one third of AWS patients have been reported to be followed by delirium tremens (DT). OBJECTIVES: We assessed the factors that have influence on the development of DT in AWS patients. METHODS: We investigated clinical features and laboratory findings of 39 AWS patients who were admitted. The following factors were analyzed ; duration of alcohol intake, interval from last drinking to onset of AWS, interval from AWS to treatment, number of seizure, fever, laboratory findings (Mg, K, Na, Ca, P, respiratory alkalosis). RESULT: Fourteen patients developed DT(35.8%). There was fever in 36% of AWS patients with DT(5/14) and in 8% of AWS patients without DT(2/25). Number of seizure (p<.05) and interval from AWS to treatment(p<.01) showed statistically significant difference. But other factors were insignificant statistically. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that number of seizure and interval from AWS to treatment seem to be significantly related to the development of DT in AWS patients.
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium* ; Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures* ; Alcoholism ; Delirium* ; Drinking ; Fever ; Humans ; Risk Factors* ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

The authors reported and reviewed 7 cases of seizures among 53 chronic alcoholics who had been hospitalized in Kyung Hee University Hospital from Jan. 1, 1979 to Mar. 31, 1983. Case 1 was considered to be alcohol withdrawal seizure (so called "rum fit") in terms of it's clinical and laboratory findings. And other 6 cases, which had no past history of epilepsy and had been drinking alcoholic beverages for 9.6 years on the average before the appearances of seizures, were considered to belong to alcoholinduced seizures.
Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures ; Alcoholic Beverages ; Alcoholics* ; Drinking ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures*

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Seizures

Background: Seizure is a common neurological presenting symptom at the emergency department (ED). Recurrent seizure may result in an overcrowded ED and affect morbidity. Factors associated with recurrent seizure in Thailand or other developing countries are limited. Methods: Clinical features of adult patients who presented with seizure at the ED, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand were retrospectively reviewed. Factors associated with recurrent seizure were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: During the study period, there were 65,586 patients who visited the ED. Of those, there were 156 seizure patients who were identified for analysis. The mean (S.D.) age of all patients was 47.44 (19.80) and males accounted for 41.67%. There were 40 patients who had recurrent seizures (25.64%). There were 10 significant factors associated with recurrent seizure at the ED. Of those, seven factors had a positive association with recurrent seizure; the top three factors were seizure attacks >4 times prior to ED visit, age >70 years and cerebral infarction, while the other three factors were negatively associated (history of antiepileptic drugs, brain surgery and alcohol consumption). Conclusions: Recurrent seizure at the ED may be related to seizure history prior to the ED visit, age, cause of seizure, and co-morbid conditions.
Seizures