Risk factors for delirium tremens: a retrospective chart review.
A retrospective chart review was performed within an inpatient VA hospital setting in an attempt to identify risk factors for delirium tremens (DTs). Cases of delirium tremens were compared to cases where patients' alcohol withdrawal during hospitalization did not progress to DTs. Significant differences were found in regard to prior histories of DTs and laboratory values at admission. The amount and duration of benzodiazepine use during hospitalization, antipsychotic use during hospitalization, and length of hospitalization were also statistically different between the groups. While not reaching statistical significance, there were differences in reason for admission and relapse rate upon follow-up between the groups.
Wright
Tara
T
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. wright@musc.edu
Myrick
Hugh
H
Henderson
Scott
S
Peters
Hamilton
H
Malcolm
Robert
R
D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000431:Ethanol; D003404:Creatinine; D003975:Diazepam