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Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. It contributes to over 140,000 annual deaths, to over 200 related diseases and health conditions globally, and accounts for 5.1% of the global disease burden. Despite its substantial impact, AUD remains undertreated, marked by a scarcity of approved medications. This paper explores the current treatment landscape and novel strategies for both alcohol withdrawal syndrome and AUD. Promising results, including the use of psychedelics alongside psychotherapy, noninvasive neural-circuit-based interventions, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have emerged from recent studies. While these advancements show potential, further research is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness. The clear shortage of approved medications and other treatment modalities underscores the pressing need for ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hungarian Medical Journal / Orvosi Hetilap is the property of Akademiai Kiado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify published literature from a general hospital setting that may highlight variables implicated in the development of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (SAWS) in patients who have alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was carried out using the electronic databases: MEDLINE, Medline in Process, Cinahl, Embase and PsycINFO from 1989 to 2017. The focus of this search was on English language studies of individuals over 16 years admitted to general hospital with ADS, delirium tremens (DTs), alcohol-related seizure (ARS) or alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Findings: Of the 205 studies screened, eight met the criteria for inclusion. Six studies were quantitative retrospective cohort and two were retrospective case-control. Six studies investigated risk factors associated with DTs, one examined SAWS and one alcohol kindling. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarise the empirical evidence from studies were 22 statistically significant risk factors were found; including the reason for admission to hospital, daily alcohol consumption, previous DTs and prior ARS. The last two factors mentioned appeared in two studies. Research limitations/implications: Further research should consider the quality and completeness of the alcohol history data and competence of staff generating the data in retrospective studies. Originality/value: The paper suggests that the factors linked to SAWS development from the literature may not fully explain why some individuals who have ADS develop SAWS, and others do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of optimal control in both therapeutics and epidemiology. Optimal control is a valuable tool for optimizing drug infusion protocols in cancer therapy and has gained attention in epidemiology due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The article highlights the similarities between these two contexts, such as the use of models and the need for ad-hoc techniques to implement optimal control strategies. The special issue discussed in the article includes papers on both epidemiology and therapeutics, with controls related to social distancing measures and vaccination in the former, and doses of drugs in the latter. The papers propose various approaches to dealing with model uncertainty and implement optimal controls using different techniques. Overall, this article provides an overview of the applications of optimal control in therapeutics and epidemiology. [Extracted from the article]

This paper presents an outline of a research project that will be carried out in 2020 in the Detoxification Ward and the Rehabilitation Therapy Ward of the Department of Prevention and Treatment of Addictions of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Poland. The cross-sectional study will describe the population of alcohol-dependent people and characterise the dominant drinking pattern in this population. In particular, the frequency of alcohol use and preferences in terms of volume of alcohol bottles will be assessed. An additional objective of the study will be to compare the population of people hospitalised for alcohol withdrawal syndromes with people hospitalised for rehabilitation therapy. The hypothesis will be interrogated that an increase in demand for small vodka bottles (SVBs) correlates with the change in the current pattern of alcohol drinking. So far the drinking pattern in Poland has been described as a pattern of heavy drinking - so-called binge drinking. With growing interests of consumers in SVBs there is a high probability of the appearance of a new pattern, constituting a model in which the patient drinks alcohol in small portions several times a day, maintaining a relatively stable blood alcohol concentration. In recent decades an increased alcohol consumption per capita per year in Poland and mortality rates due to alcohol use have been observed. Therefore, if confirmed by the study, this new emerging drinking pattern may become one of the main tasks and challenges for Public Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our review paper discusses the importance of intravenous thiamine supplementation for the treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. We thank Dr. Braillon for his interest in our recently published manuscript "Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Neurocritical Care Unit: Assessment and Treatment Challenges" in I Neurocritical Care i [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Medicina Interna de Mexico is the property of Colegio de Medicina Interna de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is related to mental and somatic disorders that result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), with 30% of AWS cases leading to life-threatening delirium tremens (DTs). Currently, studies do not support using any one biomarker in DTs. Neurotrophins affect neuromodulation, playing a role in the pathogenesis of AUD, AWS, and DTs. Methods: This review aims to summarize experimental and clinical data related to neurotrophins and S100B in neuroplasticity, as well as neurodegeneration in the context of AUD, AWS, and DTs. This work used publications that were selected based on the protocol consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Results: The BDNF level could be a good candidate biomarker for relapse susceptibility, as it is significantly reduced during consumption and gradually increases during abstinence. GDNF influences AUD through its integral role in the function of dopaminergic neurons and ablates the return to alcohol-drinking behavior. NGF protects neurons from ethanol-induced cytotoxic damage and affects recovery from cognitive deficits after brain damage. The NT-3 level is decreased after alcohol exposure and is involved in compensatory mechanisms for cognitive decline in AUD. NT-4 affects oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic alcohol consumption. S100B is used as a biomarker of brain damage, with elevated levels in serum in AUD, and can protect 5-HT neurons from the damage caused by alcohol. Conclusions: BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, NT-4, NGF, and S100B may be valuable markers for withdrawal syndrome. In particular, the most relevant is their association with the development of delirium complications. However, there are few data concerning some neurotrophins in AWS and DTs, suggesting the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholism presents a significant health concern with notable socioeconomic implications. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can manifest when individuals cease or drastically reduce their alcohol consumption after prolonged use. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by substantial lipid accumulation in the liver cells of individuals with no history of alcohol consumption. There is evidence suggesting an association between cognitive impairment and both conditions. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive impairment in patients with NAFLD and AWS using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). This study involved 120 patients admitted to two hospitals in Craiova, Romania. Results indicated that patients with NAFLD did not exhibit cognitive impairment as measured by MMSE (Mean = 29.27, SD = 0.785). Conversely, patients with AWS showed more pronounced cognitive dysfunction, with a mean MMSE score at admission of 16.60 ± 4.097 and 24.60 ± 2.832 after 2 weeks under treatment with Vitamins B1 and B6 and Cerebrolysin. Additionally, our findings suggested that cognitive dysfunction among alcohol consumers was correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms, as demonstrated by the severity of tremors in our study. The two-week period under treatment and alcohol withdrawal was insufficient for cognitive function to return to normal levels. Observational studies on longer periods of time are advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium Tremens (DT) is known to be a serious complication of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Neurotransmitter abnormalities, inflammation, and increased permeability are associated with the pathogenesis of AWS and DT. However, the biomarkers of these conditions are still poorly understood. Methods: In this work, biochemical, hematologic, inflammatory, and gut permeability biomarkers were investigated in the following three groups: healthy controls (n = 75), severe AWS patients with DT (n = 28), and mild/moderate AWS without DT (n = 97). Blood sampling was performed after resolution of the acute condition (on 5 ± 1 day after admission) to collect clinical information from patients and to investigate associations with clinical scales. Biomarker analysis was performed using automated analyzers and ELISA. Inflammatory biomarkers included the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Results: Among the biochemical biomarkers, only glucose, total cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) changed significantly in the analyzed groups. A multiple regression analysis showed that age and ALT were independent predictors of the CIWA-Ar score. Hematologic biomarker analysis showed an increased white blood cell count, and the elevated size and greater size variability of red blood cells and platelets (MCV, RDWc, and PDWc) in two groups of patients. Gut permeability biomarkers (FABP2, LBP, and zonulin) did not change, but were associated with comorbid pathologies (alcohol liver disease and pancreatitis). The increase in inflammatory biomarkers (ESR and PLR) was more evident in AWS patients with DT. Cluster analysis confirmed the existence of a subgroup of patients with evidence of high inflammation, and such a subgroup was more frequent in DT patients. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of biomarker variability in AWS patients with and without DT and support the heterogeneity of patients by the level of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol‐related seizures (ARS) are one of the most important consequences of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). However, demographic and clinical characteristics, and furthermore, the relationship of ARS with delirium tremens (DT), have not yet been evaluated in detail. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to reveal the correlates of ARS and examine the interaction of ARS with the occurrence of DT and with the severity of AWS. Methods: In the retrospective study (Study 1) 2851 medical charts of inpatient admissions characterized by AWS and DT were listed. Demographic and clinical variables of ARS were assessed. In the follow‐up study (Study 2), patients admitted with AWS without (N = 28) and with (N = 18) ARS were enrolled. Study 1 was performed between 2008 and 2023, and Study 2 was performed in 2019 in Hungary. To determine the severity of AWS, the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale for Alcohol, Revised (CIWA‐Ar) was used. ARS is a provoked, occasional seizure; therefore, patients with epilepsy syndrome were excluded from the two studies. Statistical analyses were performed by the means of chi‐square tests, multinomial logistic regressions, mixed ANOVA, and derivation. Results: The occurrence of DT, the history of ARS, and somatic co‐morbidities were found to be risk factors for the appearance of ARS. ARS was proved to be a risk factor for the development of DT. In the follow‐up study, there was no difference in the decrease of CIWA‐Ar scores between the groups. Significance: Our present findings support the likelihood of kindling, which is one of the most important mechanisms underlying the development of ARS, but do not directly prove its presence. Additionally, our results revealed that the severity of AWS is not influenced by the presence of ARS. Plain Language Summary: Provoked, occasional seizures during AWS are defined as ARS. In the present study, predictors and interactions of these seizures with DT—the most severe form of withdrawal—and with the severity of withdrawal were examined in retrospective and follow‐up studies. The present study shows that a history of withdrawal seizures, the occurrence of DT, and somatic comorbidities are predictors of the development of seizures. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the presence of seizures does not influence the severity of withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-English-speaking people do not always seek medical care through established institutions. This paper reports a series of deaths in unlicensed alcohol rehabilitation facilities serving Spanish-speaking men. These facilities are informal groups of alcohol abusing men who live together. New members receive various treatments, including administration of ethanol or isopropanol, restraint, and seclusion. We reviewed 42 deaths in unlicensed alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Los Angeles County during the years 2003-2014. Data gathered included age, length of time spent in the facility, blood alcohol and drugs at autopsy, and cause and manner of death. Causes of death included acute alcohol poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, and a variety of other causes. Three cases were considered homicides from restraint asphyxia. The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has worked with the police, district attorney, and State Department of Health Services to try to prevent additional deaths in unlicensed alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Nevertheless, prevention has been difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabinoids are still classified as illegal psychoactive drugs despite their broad and increasingly acknowledged therapeutic potential. These substances are most famous for their wide recreational use, particularly among young adults to either alter the state of consciousness, intensify pleasure induced by other psychoactive substances or as an alternative to the previously abused drugs. It is important to emphasize that cannabinoids are often taken together with a variety of medications intended for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). These medications include disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. In this paper, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge of possible beneficial effects and interactions between cannabinoids and drugs commonly used for treatment of AUD and AWS either comorbid or existing as a separate disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence-based research indicates that subjective questionnaires should be eliminated in screening for alcohol use disorder and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in critical care patients. However, transitioning clinicians away from these screening tools remains challenging. Objective: To improve screening for alcohol use disorder and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the critical care setting by implementing an evidence-based alcohol use disorder screening tool and alcohol withdrawal syndrome protocol for critical care patients. Methods: The project site was a 17-bed adult medical intensive care unit in a large, southeastern US teaching hospital. Interventions consisted of the elimination of previously used tools such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised and implementation of the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale for alcohol use disorder screening and the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and symptom-triggered benzodiazepine administration for alcohol withdrawal syndrome management. Results: Alcohol use disorder screening among the critical care patient population increased by 49% from before to after the intervention. Of the patients at risk for withdrawal, 79% had an order for monitoring with the new intensive care unit alcohol withdrawal protocol in the postintervention group, compared with 35% who had an order for monitoring with the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised in the preintervention group. Conclusion: The elimination of previously used tools and the implementation of the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale and the new intensive care unit alcohol withdrawal protocol improved alcohol use disorder screening and alcohol withdrawal syndrome management among critical care patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Phenobarbital, a long‐acting barbiturate, presents an alternative to conventional benzodiazepine treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Currently, existing research offers only modest guidance on the safety and effectiveness of phenobarbital in managing AWS in hospital settings. The study objective was to assess if a phenobarbital protocol for the treatment of AWS reduces respiratory complications when compared to a more traditionally used benzodiazepine protocol. Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzing adults who received either phenobarbital or benzodiazepine‐based treatment for AWS over a 4‐year period, 2015–2019, in a community teaching hospital in a large academic medical system. Results: A total of 147 patient encounters were included (76 phenobarbital and 71 benzodiazepine). Phenobarbital was associated with a significantly decreased risk of respiratory complications, defined by the occurrence of intubation (15/76 phenobarbital [20%] vs. 36/71 benzodiazepine [51%]) and decreased incidence of the requirement of six or greater liters of oxygen when compared with benzodiazepines (10/76 [13%] vs. 28/71 [39%]). There was a significantly higher incidence of pneumonia in benzodiazepine patients (15/76 [20%] vs. 33/71 [47%]). Mode Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) scores were more frequently at goal (0 to −1) between 9 and 48 h after the loading dose of study medication for phenobarbital patients. Median hospital and ICU length of stay were significantly shorter for phenobarbital patients when compared with benzodiazepine patients (5 vs. 10 days and 2 vs. 4 days, respectively). Conclusion: Parenteral phenobarbital loading doses with an oral phenobarbital tapered protocol for AWS resulted in decreased risk of respiratory complications when compared to standard treatment with benzodiazepines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are prevalent in intensive care units (ICUs). Alcohol abuse and/or dependence, leading to alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), is as high as 10% or more. There seem to be wide variations in management strategies used to manage these patients, prompting an evaluation of the knowledge gap as well as finding the barriers. Noting lack of such literature in the Indian setting, a survey is undertaken to evaluate practice patterns surrounding the identification and management of alcohol dependence/abuse and AWS in the Indian critical care scenario. The main respondents of the survey are independent practitioners with anesthesia as their base specialty and overwhelmingly practice in multidisciplinary ICUs. They estimated AUD prevalence to be under 10%. The reason most expressed for lack of AUD documentation is fear of insurance rejection. Very few used risk assessment tool in evaluation of AUDs and AWS. Awareness of ICD 10/DSM-V components of AWS diagnosis was negligible. Chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam were used either in a fixed- or symptom-based therapy. Compared to available literature, haloperidol use is excessive, while barbiturates rarely. The wide variation is seen with the dose and frequency of thiamine in AWS without neurological complications. The impact on mortality and morbidity is poorly understood. In conclusion, the survey reported a lower prevalence compared to international literature. Insurance rejection is one of the main factors in limiting adequate history taking or documenting AUDs. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome risk assessment, monitoring, and management is variable and suboptimal. Variability in all aspects of AUDs is attributable to the knowledge gap. Further studies are needed to bridge the research gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit symptoms such as alcohol withdrawal, depression, and cravings. The gut-immune response may play a significant role in manifesting these specific symptoms associated with AUD. This study examined the role of gut dysfunction, proinflammatory cytokines, and hormones in characterizing AUD symptoms. Methods: Forty-eight AUD patients [men (n = 34) and women (n = 14)] aged 23-63 years were grouped using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale (CIWA) as clinically significant (CS-CIWA [score > 10] [n = 22]) and a clinically not-significant group (NCS-CIWA [score ≤ 10] [n = 26]). Clinical data (CIWA, 90-day timeline followback [TLFB90], and lifetime drinking history [LTDH]) and blood samples (for testing proinflammatory cytokines, hormones, and markers of intestinal permeability) were analyzed. A subset of 16 AUD patients was assessed upon admission for their craving tendencies related to drug-seeking behavior using the Penn-Alcohol Craving Score (PACS). Results: CS-CIWA group patients exhibited unique and significantly higher levels of adiponectin and interleukin (IL)-6 compared to NCS-CIWA. In the CS group, there were significant and high effects of association for the withdrawal score with gut-immune markers (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], adiponectin, IL-6, and IL-8) and for withdrawal-associated depression with gut-immune markers (scored using MADRS with LPS, soluble cells of differentiation type 14 [sCD14], IL-6, and IL-8). Craving (assessed by PACS, the Penn-Alcohol Craving Scale) was significantly characterized by what could be described as gut dysregulation (LBP [lipopolysaccharide binding protein] and leptin) and candidate proinflammatory (IL-lβ and TNF-α) markers. Such a pathway model describes the heavy drinking phenotype, HDD90 (heavy drinking days past 90 days), with even higher effects (R² = 0.955, p = 0.006) in the AUD patients, who had higher ratings for cravings (PACS > 5). Discussion: The interaction of gut dysfunction cytokines involved in both inflammation and mediating activity constitutes a novel pathophysiological gut-brain axis for withdrawal symptoms and withdrawal-associated depression and craving symptoms in AUD. AUD patients with reported cravings show a significant characterization of the gut-brain axis response to heavy drinking. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT# 00106106. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzodiazepines are commonly used medications which are clinically useful towards the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, seizures, anxiety disorders, among other indications. Benzodiazepine use is also known to cause the rare phenomenon of paradoxical excitation whose mechanism has many postulated theories. We report this rare presentation of paradoxical excitation with the use of lorazepam in a 50-year-old male being treated for alcohol withdrawal. We also review the underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and current literature as it relates to this excitation. An inability to recognize this adverse effect and to appropriately withhold the agent may adversely affect a patient's course of treatment in the inpatient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Excessive drinking can cause a variety of physical, psychological, social and legal problems., Some heavy/dependent users will experience the symptoms of withdrawal when they cut down or stop. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe to life threatening such as seizures (fits) and delirium tremens (DT's)., The class of drugs known as the benzodiazepines have been shown to be the most effective in controlling the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and remain the drug of choice to treat this condition. However the benzodiazepines can cause significant problems such as tolerance and addiction and therefore there has been a search for safer alternatives. Recent findings have shown that there are several viable alternative drug treatment options to the benzodiazepines, particularly the use of Baclofen and psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN). However more research is needed, especially on service user who are detoxified in community settings., Abstract Mortality statistics for excessive alcohol consumption show no signs of abatement, with a report published in 2011 from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that 2.5 million people worldwide died because of their alcohol consumption. Serious physiological, psychological, social and legal problems are thought to affect many more. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that often occurs in those individuals who significantly reduce or stop their intake after a prolonged and excessive period of drinking. Pharmacological treatment of the AWS has traditionally been undertaken by the use of the benzodiazepines, but recent years have witnessed the emergence of several alternatives. The aim of this paper was (1) to review the evidence base supporting the use of various pharmacological agents currently employed to treat AWS, and (2) to consider the efficacy and safety of the emerging alternatives to the benzodiazepines. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and BNI databases were extensively searched in order to retrieve the maximum number of relevant articles. Reference lists from relevant literature were also used to identify other potential studies for inclusion. All studies concerned with measuring the efficacy and safety of the various pharmacological treatment options for AWS were considered and a total of 63 trials were included in this review. Findings support the use of benzodiazepines as the recommended drug of choice for the treatment of AWS in the absence of adequate evidence to support the use of alternative agents. There is a lack of evidence of a superior pharmacological agent to the benzodiazepines for the treatment of AWS. There are several studies that have shown that there are pharmacological alternatives that could compete or act as an adjunct with the benzodiazepines in terms of high efficacy and safety in the treatment of AWS, but there is a need for further quality research to be carried out before definitive conclusions can be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alcohol withdrawal is common among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but no current practice guidelines exist. We reviewed published manuscripts for prevalence, risk factors, screening tools, prophylactic and treatment strategies, and outcomes for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and delirium tremens (DT) in the critically ill. Methods: The following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, pain, anxiety and delirium (PAD) Guidelines REFWORKS, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and references for published papers were searched. Publications with high or moderate Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and Oxford levels of evidence were included. Results: Reported AWS rates range from <1 % in 'all ICU comers' to 60 % in highly selected alcohol-dependent ICU patients. Alcohol dependence and a history of withdrawal are significant risk factors for AWS occurrence. No screening tools for withdrawal have been validated in the ICU. The benefit of alcohol withdrawal prophylaxis is unproven, and proposed regimens appear equivalent. Early and aggressive titration of medication guided by symptoms is the only feature associated with improved treatment outcome. Conclusions: Treatment of AWS is associated with higher ICU complication rates and resource utilization. The optimal means of identification, prevention and treatment of AWS in order to establish evidence-based guidelines remain to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abstinent alcoholics have deficits in comprehending the affective intonation in speech. Prior work suggests that these deficits are due to alcohol exposure rather than preexisting risk factors for alcoholism. The present paper examines whether family history of alcoholism is a contributor to affective prosody deficits in alcoholics. Methods: Fifty-eight healthy, nonabusing young adults with and without a family history of alcoholism or other substance abuse (29 FH+ and 29 FH−) were compared on affective prosody comprehension using the Aprosodia Battery. A secondary analysis was done comparing affective prosody comprehension in FH+ and FH− detoxified alcoholics from an earlier study (17 FH+ and 14 FH−). Results: Performance on the Aprosodia Battery was not related to FH status in either the healthy, nonabusing sample or in the detoxified alcoholic group. Conclusions: The present study lends support to previous research suggesting that deficits in affective prosody comprehension observed in detoxified alcoholics are associated with a history of heavy drinking rather than with a family history of alcoholism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract The most common alcohol-related chronic condition for hospitalisation is alcohol dependence which can lead to an alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The aim of this paper is to report on a quality improvement program in an Australian rural area health service for the screening and management of alcohol withdrawal and the effect of two types of nursing education and training approaches: a self-directed competency training package and a more traditional in-service program. The measure of improvement was compliance to nine clinical standards or core competencies for the assessment and treatment of the AWS derived from the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar) scale and the NSW drug and alcohol withdrawal clinical practice guidelines. An audit of medical records using a standardised protocol for the nine standards was conducted at baseline (n=100) and follow-up (n=340) across eleven hospitals in the area. Results indicated that in three hospitals, where 70 nurses completed the self-directed competency training, there was a higher total compliance score across the nine standards compared to eight hospitals where 238 nurses received the in-service program. The self-directed competency program was also rated highly by nurses who participated in the program. The benefits of self-directed competency training are discussed as well as future recommendations for improving nurse education strategies for managing alcohol withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Major classification systems for alcohol use disorders (DSM-IV and ICD-10) contain elements of the 1976 Edwards and Gross formulation of the Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS). However, issues remain about the criteria that identify Alcohol Dependence (AD) as distinct from Alcohol Abuse (AA) in DSM-IV and Harmful Use in ICD-10. These issues, in part, have their roots in changing historical perceptions of alcohol use and its problems. We discuss current diagnostic criteria for AA and AD, collectively called Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs), in the context of their historical evolution; research progress in understanding alcohol problems, including alcohol dependence; new findings on the severity of AUDs as classified by DSM-IV; and the role of alcohol consumption patterns in future classifications of AUDs. Methods This paper is based largely on the 2006 H. David Archibald Lecture. Parts of the original lecture have been modified to reflect more recent findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) of the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Results The original Edwards and Gross ADS construct is supported by advances in biological and behavioral science over the past 30 years. New findings indicate that DSM-IV AA and AD are not diagnostically distinct entities, but represent a continuum of severity of AUDs. The ADS criteria may best represent one quantifiable dimension of alcohol use problems and this scale can be related to that of the frequency of harmful patterns of drinking. Conclusion The Edwards and Gross ADS criteria can be used as the basis for beginning the development of scalable multi-dimensional criteria for diagnosing AUDs in new initiatives to revise DSM-IV and ICD-10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is important for the assessment of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome and for the evaluation of the effectiveness of withdrawal treatment interventions. There continues to be a need for an instrument for the measurement of alcohol withdrawal severity which is short, easy to understand (especially by respondents who may feel anxious, confused or physically ill) and easy to administer (for example, within clinical services with limited time and resources).This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of the 10-item Short AlcoholWithdrawal Scale. The SAWS includes five items which represent psychological symptoms (anxious, confused, restless, miserable, memory problems) which accounted for 47% of the variance. A further five items represent physical symptoms (tremor, nausea, heart pounding, sleep disturbance, sweating) and accounted for 11% of the variance. The procedures leading to the development of the scale are described and results are presented showing that the SAWS has high internal consistency, and good construct and concurrent validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies two utilization measures of alcoholim treatment, discharge rate and average length of stay, in the United States, Australia, Sweden and Canada. The results suggest that the decline in length of stay and discharges in the past 15 years was an international phenomenon and not unique to the U.S. However, data for length of stay also suggests that the biggest decline in the United States coincided with the fastest growth of managed behavioral health care. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acute alcoholic hallucinosis is a psychotic disorder characterized by a predominance of auditory hallucinations with delusions and affective symptoms in the clinical picture. Classically, it develops as part of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The prevalence of acute alcoholic hallucinosis ranks second among alcohol-related psychoses after alcohol delirium. The study aimed to systematize the scientific data on the history of alcoholic hallucinosis, its pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment approaches. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and eLibrary. The following words and combinations were used as search strings: (alcoholic hallucinosis OR alcoholic psychosis OR alcohol-related psychosis OR alcohol-induced psychosis OR alcohol-induced psychotic disorder OR complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome) NOT (animal OR rat OR mouse). The relevant information concerning the history of acute alcoholic hallucinosis, its pathogenesis, clinical picture, and treatment approaches was systematized and summarized. This review presents relevant findings regarding acute alcoholic hallucinosis. Limitations of the review include the use of heterogeneous and mostly descriptive studies and studies on small cohorts of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baclofen may reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, as an alternative or as an adjuvant for benzodiazepines, but the available data are insufficient to support baclofen-assisted alcohol withdrawal. This study investigated the need for diazepam during acute alcohol withdrawal in patients receiving baclofen. In a single-blind, dose-dependent randomized controlled trial with three study arms, 63 patients with alcohol use disorder, starting in-patient benzodiazepine-assisted alcohol detoxification, were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n  = 18), baclofen 30 mg/day (N  = 20), or baclofen 60 mg/day (N  = 25) for 7 days. Diazepam was provided as needed based on the withdrawal symptoms stated by Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-revised. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients in need of diazepam during alcohol detoxification. Secondary outcome measure included the between-group difference in the amount of diazepam needed during alcohol detoxification. Using baclofen 60 mg/day, 32% of patients needed additional diazepam compared to 35% on baclofen 30 mg/day and compared to 72% on placebo (P  = .013). The median total amount of diazepam needed was significantly lower in patients receiving baclofen 60 mg/day (0 ± 10 mg diazepam) and baclofen 30 mg/day (0 ± 10 mg diazepam) compared to placebo (10 ± 43 mg diazepam; P  = .017). Adverse events were comparable between patients on baclofen and placebo. Baclofen can reduce the withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detoxification. Baclofen was well tolerated and may be considered for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, especially useful in situations where benzodiazepines should be withheld, such as patients with liver impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Here, we introduce a reliable, inexpensive, and versatile method for high-throughput kinetic assays of drug metabolism based on fluorometric quantification of formaldehyde (FA) formed in cytochrome P450-dependent demethylation reactions. We describe the implementation of this technique for automatized assays of cytochrome P450-dependent drug metabolism in human liver microsomes. We also report the use of our new approach for re-evaluating the pathways of metabolism of the NMDA-receptor antagonist ketamine, which is increasingly used as an antidepressant in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Probing the kinetic parameters of ketamine demethylation by 10 major cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, we demonstrate that in addition to CYP2B6 and CYP3A enzymes, which were initially recognized as the primary metabolizers of ketamine, an important role is also played by CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. At the same time, the involvement of CYP2C9 suggested in the previous reports is insignificant. In a search for a reliable, inexpensive, and versatile technique for high-throughput kinetic assays of drug metabolism, we elected to rehire an old-school approach based on the determination of formaldehyde (FA) formed in cytochrome P450-dependent demethylation reactions. After evaluating several fluorometric techniques for FA detection, we chose the method based on the Hantzsch reaction with acetoacetanilide as the most sensitive, robust, and adaptable to high-throughput implementation. Here we provide a detailed protocol for using our new technique for automatized assays of cytochrome P450-dependent drug demethylations and discuss its applicability for high-throughput scanning of drug metabolism pathways in the human liver. To probe our method further, we applied it to re-evaluating the pathways of metabolism of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic and potent antidepressant increasingly used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Probing the kinetic parameters of ketamine demethylation by ten major cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, we demonstrate that in addition to CYP2B6 and CYP3A enzymes, which were initially recognized as the primary metabolizers of ketamine, an important role is also played by CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. At the same time, the involvement of CYP2C9 suggested in the previous reports was deemed insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses studies conducted by several researchers including K. A. Young, H. Wang, and C. A. Pedersen regarding use of oxytocin for treating amphetamine-induced social impairments. Topics include a study that outlined role for oxytocin in modulating the physiological effects of alcohol and psychostimulants, a study concerning role of oxytocin in improving social cognitive functioning, and a study concerning blockage of alcohol withdrawal in human by intranasal oxytocin.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to illustrate delirium as a possible consequence of the application of symptom-triggered therapy for alcohol withdrawal and to explore alternative treatment modalities. In the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, symptom-triggered therapy directs nursing staff to regularly assess patients using standardized instruments, such as the Clinical Institute for Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-Ar), and administer benzodiazepines at symptom severity thresholds. Symptom-triggered therapy has been shown to lower total benzodiazepine dosage and treatment duration relative to fixed dosage tapers (Daeppen et al., 2002). However, CIWA-Ar has important limitations. Because of its reliance on patient reporting, it is inappropriate for nonverbal patients, non-English speakers (in the absence of readily available translators) and patients in confusional states including delirium and psychosis. Importantly, it also relies on the appropriate selection of patients and considering alternate etiologies for signs and symptoms also associated with alcohol withdrawal. Design/methodology/approach - The authors report a case of a 47-year-old male admitted for cardiac arrest because of benzodiazepine and alcohol overdose who developed worsening delirium on CIWA-Ar protocol. Findings - While symptom-triggered therapy through instruments such as the CIWA-Ar protocol has shown to lower total benzodiazepine dosage and treatment duration in patients in alcohol withdrawal, over-reliance on such tools may also lead providers to overlook other causes of delirium. Originality/value - This case illustrates the necessity for providers to consider using other available assessment and treatment options including objective alcohol withdrawal scales, fixed benzodiazepine dosage tapers and even antiepileptic medications in select patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports findings relative to a simple, rapid and reproducible technique for the induction of physical dependence upon ethanol in the rat. The dependence was induced by intragastric intubation of 20% (w/v) ethanol solutions at 9-15 g/kg in 3-5 fractional doses daily for 4 days, maintaining blood ethanol concentrations above a threshold level sufficient to sustain observable sedation throughout the entire period of intubation. Two phases were distinguished during the withdrawal period: 1. Prodromal detoxication, characterized by a spectrum of signs and responses of diminishing severity, related to the decline in blood ethanol concentrations (mg/dl): death, >640; coma, 780-460; loss of righting reflex, 640-440; ataxia 3-1, 570-250; sedation, 340-190; neutrality, 220-130; 2. Ethanol dependence, characterized by a spectrum of withdrawal signs and reactions of progressively increasing severity as blood ehtanol concentration approached 100mg/dl: hyperactivity, tremors, akinesia, spastic rigidity, and induced and spontaneous convulsions. A rapid succession of two diverse clusters of signs and reactions represents a reversal of the central nervous system function from the extremes of ethanol intoxication (CNS depression) to the extremes of ethanol dependence (CNS hyperexcitability) during the withdrawal period. Both extremes may terminate in death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether dexmedetomidine (DEX), as adjunctive therapy to benzodiazepine (BZD), is superior to BZD alone in critically ill patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Data Sources: PubMed Central, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar were used as search databases. Specific keywords and MeSH terms were "dexmedetomidine," "benzodiazepine," and "alcohol withdrawal syndrome." The last search was on September 16, 2022. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized/cohort studies exploring the use of DEX in the management of AWS were included. A total of 12 studies were included in the systematic review and 7 in the meta-analysis. Data Synthesis: The intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) was found to have a mean difference (MD) of 48.06 [37.48, 58.64], P = <0.001 for the cohort subgroup, significantly favoring the DEX arm, but, in contrast, pooled RCT data showed a result of –20.07 [–36.86, –3.28], P = 0.02, a shorter ICU LOS for the DEX arm. Bradycardia and hypotension incidence significantly favored the BZD arm in both subgroups. This study compares the effectiveness of adjunctive DEX in clinical practice and aims to help providers in critical decision-making by compiling and analyzing the best current available evidence of its use in AWS. Conclusions: Based on low to very low level of evidence, adjunctive DEX showed no significant difference for ICU LOS when compared with BZD alone. Pooled randomized trials potentially show a benefit but are similarly limited by their low quality of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessment and immediate surgical management of laryngotracheal injuries is essential to minimize the risk of perioperative and long term complications [1]. The present study was conducted at tertiary care centre to assess the proportions of complications following neck injuries. Methodology: The study was conducted as a prospective study on 19 patients presenting with laryngotracheal injuries at Emergency department in NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, India during the study period of 2 years. History was obtained in detail and depending upon the extent and nature of injury, patients were managed. Patients were followed up till discharge for assessment of any postoperative complications. Results: A total of 19 cases with neck trauma were enrolled during our study period with mean age of 27.37±8.88 years. Tracheal breach was noted in 78.9% cases. The most common site of airway injury was tracheal wall (47.3%), followed by Laryngeal trauma with unilateral or bilateral thyroid cartilage (15.8%). Major vessels injury was noted in 26.3% cases and injury to minor blood vessels was observed in 68.4% cases. Wound exploration followed by wound repair was done in 36.8% of the cases whereas emergency tracheostomy along with wound repair was done in 31.6% of the cases. During surgery, brachial plexus injury and surgical site infection were the surgical complications in 1 case each. However, anemia psychiatric tendency and symptoms due to alcohol withdrawal were the complications in 1 case each. Among postoperative complications, persistence of psychiatric symptoms, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, withdrawal symptoms, and complications due to brachial plexus injury persisted. Conclusion: Neck injuries and laryngotracheal injuries are rare but life threatening injuries, timely management of which is essentially important to avoid the occurrence of complications. Management often requires multidisciplinary approach due to associated complications. The complications may be immediate or remote which can be prevented if patients are managed timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder (SUD) globally. In 2019, AUD affected 14.5 million Americans and contributed to 95,000 deaths, with an annual cost exceeding 250 billion dollars. Current treatment options for AUD have moderate therapeutic effects and high relapse rates. Recent investigations have demonstrated the potential efficacy of intravenous ketamine infusions to increase alcohol abstinence and may be a safe adjunct to the existing alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) management strategies. Methods: We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines to conduct a scoping review of two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed manuscripts describing the use of ketamine in AUD and AWS. Studies that evaluated the use of ketamine in AUD and AWS in humans were included. We excluded studies that examined laboratory animals, described alternative uses of ketamine, or discussed other treatments of AUD and AWS. Results: We identified 204 research studies in our database search. Of these, 10 articles demonstrated the use of ketamine in AUD or AWS in humans. Seven studies investigated the use of ketamine in AUD and three studies described its use in AWS. Ketamine used in AUD was beneficial in reducing cravings, alcohol consumption and longer abstinence rates when compared to treatment as usual. In AWS, ketamine was used as an adjunct to standard benzodiazepine therapy during severe refractory AWS and at signs of delirium tremens. Adjunctive use of ketamine demonstrated earlier resolution of delirium tremens and AWS, reduced ICU stay, and lowered likelihood of intubation. Oversedation, headache, hypertension, and euphoria were the documented adverse effects after ketamine administration for AUD and AWS. Conclusion: The use of sub-dissociative doses of ketamine for the treatment of AUD and AWS is promising but more definitive evidence of its efficacy and safety is required before recommending it for broader clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Proving the Severity of Ethanol Withdrawal Scale (SEWS) significantly reduces Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) treatment Time on Medication Protocol (TOMP). Method Head-to-head Quality Assurance outcome compared separate cohorts of SEWS or Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar) data using Student's t and Wilcoxon tests. Results SEWS-driven treatment (n  = 244) reduced TOMP to 2.2 days versus 3.4 days for CIWA-Ar (n  = 137); P  < 0.0001. Conclusion The SEWS is the superior measure of AWS symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida lipolytica is an uncommon Candida species causing invasive fungemia. This yeast is mainly associated with the colonisation of intravascular catheters, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and infections in the paediatric population. Here, we report a case of C. lipolytica bloodstream infection in a 53-year-old man. He was admitted for an alcohol withdrawal syndrome and mild COVID-19. Among the primary risk factors for candidemia, only the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials was reported. The empiric treatment was commenced with caspofungin and then targeted with intravenous fluconazole. Infective endocarditis was ruled out using echocardiography, and PET/TC was negative for other deep-seated foci of fungal infection. The patient was discharged after blood culture clearance and clinical healing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of C. lipolytica candidemia in a patient with COVID-19 and alcohol use disorder. We performed a systematic review of bloodstream infections caused by C. lipolytica. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of C. lipolytica bloodstream infections in patients with alcohol use disorder, especially in a COVID-19 setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society is burdened with the uncontrolled use of alcohol, an ongoing issue, with a substantial associated morbidity and a pressing economical reverberation. It is inevitable that a series of psychiatric patients who display alcohol disorders will be admitted to hospital while also suffering from health conditions, such as liver disease, due to the consumption of alcohol. Managing comorbid patients in a psychiatric facility is a delicate matter that requires a collaborative team. The aim of this systematic paper is to highlight the following: The possibility of treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) overlapping alcohol liver disease (ALD) within a psychiatric institution, and the importance of a collaborative multidisciplinary team; correctly dosing psychoactive medication when metabolism is affected by ALD; deciding when is it necessary to seek a transfer to a general hospital. Prescribing medication in patients suffering from ALD is still a not a fully documented territory. Protein binding, metabolism, bioavailability, extraction ratios, excretion route, and half-life must be taken into consideration as well as frequently repeating liver panels. Studies suggest that short-acting benzodiazepines are preferred over their alternatives when treating AWS in ALD. All anticonvulsants can be used in patients with decompensated liver disease with caution, although newer generation antiepileptic agents should be first line. Propofol is favored to benzodiazepines or opioids in the case of decompensated cirrhosis. Patients with ALD are likely to be further compromised by the potential hepatocytotoxicity of some pharmacological agents. On that account, having an integrated perspective of the medical case while taking into consideration the underlying illness as well as possible drug interaction is crucial in treating AUD or AWS in a psychiatric institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the relationship between the clinical assessment of tremors caused by alcohol withdrawal (AW) syndrome and the underlying tremor signal as recorded by an accelerometer. The ultimate goal of the study is to find out the relationship between energy of the tremor signal in patients in AW and tremor rating provided by physicians. We have developed an iOS application that calculates the tremor component of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment, revised (CIWA-Ar) score using accelerometer data. We report on the characteristics of AW tremor, the accuracy of electronic tremor assessment compared to expert clinician assessment. It should be noted that this application is not a replacement for physician's assessment, but it will help physicians to quantify the severity of the tremor which is one of the components of CIWA-Ar protocol. Our first and key finding is that there is a logarithmic relationship between the CIWA-Ar score and the tremor energy in the [5,15] Hz range. Based on training on 84 recordings from 50 patients with the clinical diagnosis of AWS, and testing on a separate set of 33 patients with AWS, the proposed logarithmic relationship provides a CIWA-Ar Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.91 (with respect to a consensus rating from 3 expert physicians on a 7 point scale). This compares to a RMSE of 1.04 for junior physicians, 0.94 for junior nurses, 0.94 for senior nurses, and 0.95 for expert physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The assessment of mortality and rebleeding rate in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is essential, and several prognostic scores have been proposed. Some patients with UGIB did not undergo endoscopy, either because they refused the procedure, suffered from alcohol withdrawal symptoms or altered general status, or because the bleeding was severe enough to cause death before the endoscopy. The mortality risk in the subgroup of patients without endoscopy is poorly evaluated in the literature. (2) Methods: The purpose of the study was to identify the most useful scores for the assessment of in-hospital mortality in patients with UGIB with no endoscopy performed and no known etiology. A total of 198 patients with UGIB and no endoscopy performed were admitted between January 2017 and December 2021 and the accuracy of 12 prognostic scores and the Charlson comorbidity index for in-hospital mortality prediction were analyzed, as well as Child–Pugh Turcotte (CPT) and Meld scores in patients with cirrhosis. (3) Results: The mortality rate was 37.9%, higher than in variceal (21.9%, p < 0.0001) and non-variceal bleeding (7.4%, p < 0.0001). The most accurate scores by AUC were the International Bleeding score (INBS, 0.844), Glasgow Blatchford (0.783), MAP score (0.78), Iino (0.766), AIM65 and modified N-score (0.745 each), modified Glasgow-Blatchford (0.73), H3B2 and N-score (0.701); Rockall, Baylor, and T-score had an AUC below 0.7. MELD score was superior to CPT in patients with cirrhosis (AUC 0.811 versus 0.670). (4) Conclusions: The mortality rate in UGIB with no endoscopy was higher than in both variceal and non-variceal bleeding and was higher in the pandemic period but with no statistical significance (45.3% versus 32.14%, p = 0.0586), mainly because of positive cases. Only one case of rebleeding was noted; the hospitalization period was significantly shorter. The most accurate score was International Bleeding Score; the MELD score had a higher but moderate accuracy compared with CPT in patients with cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The amount and pattern of cigarette and alcohol consumption are highly associated with cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was the assessment of changes in arterial stiffness and classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease after alcohol withdrawal and detoxification in persons with alcohol use disorder. Methods Two hundred and forty-one individuals (men and women) participated in the investigation. The photoplethysmographic method was applied to assess arterial stiffness in three stages within 6 weeks. Participants were divided into subgroups based on age and sex. Analyses were performed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results Different variations in time of stiffness index (SI) and reflection index (RI) values were recorded. Some increases in triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and a decrease in high-density lipoproteins were observed in all analyzed groups. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DP) changed significantly during the 3 weeks of the study only in a group of younger men. The SI is correlated with age and gender. No correlation of RI with sex was found; however, RI was strongly correlated with age, pulse and DP. Conclusions The presented study shows that some groups of patients (older women and younger men) after detoxification may be particularly vulnerable to vascular system disorders, i.e. arterial stiffness, making it suggested to include additional observation during therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) requires bedside assessments of symptom severity to guide therapies. Commonly used assessment tools are the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), the modified Minnesota Detoxification Scale (mMINDS) and the Severity of Ethanol Withdrawal Scale (SEWS). Objective: To determine strength of correlation between the CIWA-Ar, mMINDS, and SEWS for bedside assessment of severe AWS and to survey nurses regarding ease of use of each tool. Methods: A single-center prospective correlation study of the three assessment tools performed by bedside nurses on patients with AWS followed by a questionnaire assessing ease of use of each tool (1 being the easiest and 9 being the hardest). Results: A total of 66 correlation assessments were performed by 49 nurses in 21 patients with AWS. Bedside CIWA-Ar, mMINDS, and SEWS were 14 ± 8.3, 13.9 ± 6.5, and 10.1 ± 4.5, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.814 (95% CI, 0.714-0.881) between CIWA-Ar and mMINDS; 0.722 (95% CI, 0.585-0.820) between CIWA-Ar and SEWS; and 0.658 (95% CI, 0.498-0.775) between SEWS and mMINDS. Nurse ratings for ease of use were 4 ± 2.3 for CIWA-Ar, 2.9 ± 2 for mMINDS (p=0.0044 vs. CIWA-Ar), and 4.8 ± 2.1 for SEWS (p=0.036 vs. CIWA-Ar, p<0.0001 vs. mMINDS). Forty-six (69.7%) respondents preferred mMINDS versus 14 (21.2%) and 6 (9.1%) respondents favored CIWA-Ar and SEWS, respectively. Conclusion: Correlations between the three scoring tools in severe AWS are robust. Only mMINDS was considered easy to use by nurses. It was the preferred tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To undertake a double blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of vigabatrin, a GABA-transaminase inhibitor, as a benzodiazepine sparing agent in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a residential setting. Methods We enrolled 120 patients with alcohol use disorder who were randomly assigned to either treatment with vigabatrin (2g/day for 4 days) or placebo. The primary outcome was defined as the number of participants in each treatment arm needing diazepam for withdrawal management. A secondary outcome prespecified was the total dose of diazepam received by participants in each treatment arm. Participants were recruited on admission to a residential withdrawal unit at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne from December 2014 to April 2019. Results No significant difference was observed in the number of participants requiring benzodiazepines during their residential withdrawal stay with 44 participants (78.6%) in placebo arm requiring at least one dose of diazepam compared to 38 (66.7%) in vigabatrin arm (p  = .156). An 18.1% difference was observed between the proportion of participants who received a total dose of >100mg of diazepam during their residential withdrawal stay in placebo arm (32.1%), compared to vigabatrin arm (14.0%, p  = .022). There were higher rates of reported adverse events in placebo arm with nine (15.0%) participants reporting adverse events compared with two (3.3%) participants in vigabatrin arm (p = .027). Conclusion Vigabatrin significantly reduced the number of participants requiring >100mg diazepam over the course of their alcohol withdrawal and was associated with a reduction in adverse effects when compared to placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's perspective pertaining the issues on the concepts of alcohol use disorder and methods of identifying these disorders or the risk for developing them. The issue impacts on many aspects of research, such as inclusion criteria for randomized trials, phenotypes in genetics studies, rates from epidemiological surveys, and conditions investigated in neuroimaging studies. This paper will surely stimulate further discussion as we move towards DSM-V.