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Lee, Lee, Ji, Jang, and Shin: Clinical Factors Correlated to Delirium Tremens during Acute Alcohol Withdrawal of Inpatients with Alcohol Dependence
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2012; 51(4): 164-169.

Published online: 30 July 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkna.2012.51.4.164

Clinical Factors Correlated to Delirium Tremens during Acute Alcohol Withdrawal of Inpatients with Alcohol Dependence

Jun-Seok Lee, MD, PhD, Bun-Hee Lee, MD, PhD, Hong Ji, MSW, Gyeong-Ho Jang, MSW, Hye Eun Shin, RN

The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation, KARF Hospital, Goyang, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Bun-Hee Lee, MD, PhD. The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation, KARF Hospital, 1241 Baekseok-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 410-360, Korea. Tel +82-31-810-9200, Fax +82-31-810-9201, lee.bunhee@gmail.com

Received 1 February 2012       Revised 9 June 2012       Accepted 11 June 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore clinical factors or high-risk factors associated with occurrence of delirium tremens (DT) during acute alcohol withdrawal in inpatients with alcohol dependence.

Methods

This study included 164 inpatients seeking treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal in the detoxification unit. All subjects were evaluated prospectively for known risk factors for DT and their occurrence of DT. Correlations were determined between risk factors obtained at admission and development of DT.

Results

Among all subjects, 42 patients (25.6%) suffered from delirium tremens within seven days after admission. DT patients had more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the presence of past DT, and higher levels of aspartate aminotransferas, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, and homocysteine, compared with patients who did not suffer DTs. According to results of a multiple regression, occurrence of DT showed correlation with the following factors at admission: tremor, a past history of DT, higher homocysteine level, and nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion

Development of DT showed correlation with symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal, past history of DT, and higher homocysteine level. Among these, a severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and a history of DT are factors that can be easily evaluated on the day of admission in order to predict the potential for occurrence of DT.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence, Delirium tremens, Clinical factor

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