Clinical predictors of alcohol withdrawal delirium.
Up to now, clinical predictors for the course of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, especially for the occurrence of a delirium, are lacking. Thus, this study was undertaken to examine whether clinical routine investigations at admission before the withdrawal syndrome can reveal factors indicating a higher risk for the development of a delirium. Our results showed that decreased serum electrolyte concentrations (i.e., chloride and potassium), elevated ALT, and gamma-glutamyltransferase serum levels, as well as ataxia and polyneuropathy at the neurological examination, indicate a higher risk for the development of an alcohol withdrawal delirium.
Wetterling
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical School of Luebeck, Federal Republic of Germany.
Kanitz
R D
RD
Veltrup
C
C
Driessen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010343:Patient Admission; D012307:Risk Factors
D004573:Electrolytes