Eyer et al identified risk factors for seizures or delirium tremens during alcohol withdrawal. These can help to identify a patient who may require more aggressive management. The author is from Medizinische Klinik of Technische Universitat Munchen.
Patient selection: alcohol withdrawal
Outcome: withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens
Risk factors for withdrawal seizures:
(1) withdrawal seizures as cause of admission
(2) history of prior detoxification admissions
(3) CIWA-Ar score > 15
(4) structural brain lesion(s)
(5) greater number of withdrawal episodes in the past
Risk factors for delirium tremens:
(1) hypokalemia (low serum potassium)
(2) previous history of withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens (complicated withdrawal)
(3) current medical disease
(4) withdrawal while blood alcohol concentration > 1 g/L
(5) greater number of drinks per day and more years of heavy drinking
(6) history of head injury
(7) older (set to >= 65 years of age in implementation)
