title: A 3 year case study of alcohol related psychotic disorders at Hospital Seremban.
abstract: This paper reports the characteristics and psychopathology of alcohol dependents with alcohol induced psychotic disorder admitted to the Seremban Hospital. The method is that of a case study of all alcohol dependents with alcohol induced psychotic disorder admitted to the Psychiatric Ward, Hospital Seremban over 3 years (1993-1995). There were 34 subjects, 30 Indians, 3 Chinese and 1 Malay with a mean age of 43 years. 32 were men and predominantly of Social Class IV and V (91%). They had a mean duration of drinking of 14.2 years and had a mean weekly consumption of 69.5 units of alcohol. There was a family history of alcohol dependence in (44%). The majority (68%) consumed samsu with beer the second choice. Auditory hallucinations (26) and delusions (16) were common while visual hallucinations (3) and depression (2) were less frequent. Speech disorder occurred in 4 subjects. 2 developed delirium tremens and 1 died. Liver function test was normal in 55%. All except the death from delirium tremens responded to treatment with a combination of anxiolytics, thiamine and antipsychotics and were rapidly discharged. The mean stay was 7 days. However, (68%) did not return for follow up and only 4 were abstinent from alcohol at the time of follow up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Seremban, Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013831:Thiamine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D003975:Diazepam; D013831:Thiamine