Patient selection: positive response to the first parameter (below)
Parameters:
(1) any amount of alcohol consumed within last 30 days OR positive blood alcohol level on admission
(2) previous episodes of alcohol withdrawal
(3) previous alcohol withdrawal seizure
(4) previous delirium tremens (DTs)
(5) previous alcohol rehabilitation treatment
(6) ever experienced blackouts
(7) combined alcohol with a downer (barbiturate, benzodiazepine) in the last 90 days
(8) combined alcohol with another substance of abuse in the past 90 days
(9) blood alcohol level on presentation > 200 mg/dL
(10) evidence of increased autonomic activity (tachycardia, tremor, sweating, agitation, nausea) on physical examination
Response
|
Points
|
no
|
0
|
yes
|
1
|
total score =
= SUM(points for all 10 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 10
• A score >= 4 is considered a positive screen and the patient is at high risk for moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Performance:
• The authors claim an area under the ROC curve of 1.0. Cutoffs of >= 3 or >= 5 also had a perfect score.