title: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
abstract: In susceptible patients, alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is often precipitated by other medical or surgical disorders, and AWS can adversely affect the course of these underlying conditions. Although the mortality rate of AWS has decreased over the past few decades, significant risk for morbidity and death remain if management is complicated by a variety of conditions. This review of AWS focuses on the scope of the clinical problem, historical features, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and approaches to therapy, with particular emphasis on severe AWS that requires management in the intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. richardw_carlson@dmgaz.org
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Nivedita N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wong-Mckinstry
authors.forename: Srikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayyagari
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Frank K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Shivaramaiah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shashikumar
mesh_terms: D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000266:history; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives