Remission rate of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndorme using the Srinagarind Hospital Clinical Practice Guideline

Abstract

Objective :

To study the clinical outcomes of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in terms of the remission rate and major complications using the Srinagarind Hospital Clinical Practice Guideline.

Methods :

This was a prospective descriptive study of patients between 18 and 65, diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal seizure or alcohol withdrawal delirium as per the DSM-IV-TR, hospitalized at the psychiatric unit between May 18, 2013, and May 31, 2014. All patients were treated according to the Srinagarind Hospital Clinical Practice Guideline. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and survival analysis.

Results : The

43 patients were included in this study, 35 had CIWA-Ar scores of ≥8 and only 8 had a CIWA-Ar score < 8 throughout the hospitalization. The respective remission rate (CIWA-Ar score < 8) by day 3, 4 and 5 of treatment was 82.9%, 91.4% and 100%. The median time to remit from alcohol withdrawal syndrome was on the 3rd day of treatment. There were no major complications or mortality.

Conclusion :

The Srinagarind Hospital Clinical Practice Guideline is effective for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome as alcohol withdrawal symptoms were relieved rapidly within 5 days of therapy without major complications or mortality.