Alcohol Use Disorder Flashcards
What is the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for AWS?
2 or more of the following sx following a decrease in heavy & prolonged drinking, and causing distress or impairment
-hallucinations/illusions/delirium tremens
-autonomic hyperactivity
-seizures
-anxiety
-psychomotor agitation
-insomnia
-nausea/vomiting
-tremor
HAS A PINT
When do the symptoms of AWS peak?
day 2-3
What is the most serious complication of alcohol withdrawal?
delirium tremens
What is delirium tremens?
severe confusion, disorientation, +/- hallucinations with clouding of global sensorium, + severe autonomic hyperactivity (tachy/htn/sweating/agitation/hyperthermia)
-mortality rate 5%
What does the typical timeline look like for delirium tremens?
usually begins 48-96h after last drink
lasts 1-5 days
Which two neurotransmitters are involved in the pathogenesis of AWS?
GABA and glutamate
-the balance shifts towards glutamate
What are the risk factors for AWS?
increased quantity, frequency, and duration of use
previous withdrawal
family history of alcohol withdrawal
concurrent medical conditions
consumption of sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics
What are the complications of AWS?
death
seizures
arrhythmias
brain damage
prolonged hospitalization
aspiration
relapse
delirium tremens
What is the PAWSS tool?
most useful screening tool for predicting patients risk of developing severe complications related to alcohol withdrawal
-10 item risk assessment
-can be done before stopping or reducing drinking to determine risk of severe AWS complications
-could be used in ER setting
-useful to help determine level monitoring and support required
What score on PAWSS warrants outpatient management? What about the score indicating inpatient care?
3 or less: low risk of complications, outpatient
4 or more: high risk of complications, inpatient
What is the most commonly used class of medications in AWS?
benzodiazepines
What is the role of clonidine in AWS?
often used in addition to benzos (not on its own)
suppresses noradrenergic sx (anxiety/htn/tachy) that do not resolve with benzos
used for “symptomatic relief”
What are some examples of medications that have insufficient evidence to conclude benefit/harm in AWS?
CBZ
gabapentin
baclofen
beta-blockers
GHB
haloperidol
What is the MOA of benzodiazepines?
bind to the BZD binding site on GABAa receptors to increase GABA binding affinity and increase inhibitory action of GABA
Which benzodiazepines are used for AWS?
lorazepam
diazepam
Differentiate lorazepam and diazepam.
lorazepam:
-onset: 30-60 min
-t1/2: 10-14h
-metabolism: inactive metabolites
-IV/IM/SC
diazepam:
-onset: 15-30 min
-t1/2: 50-100h
-metabolism: active metabolites
-IV only
What are the side effects of benzodiazepines?
common:
-sedation
-confusion
-amnesia
-psychomotor impairment
rare:
-paradoxical reactions
-falls
-respiratory depression
-pancytopenia
What is CIWA?
10-item scale used to measure the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms
commonly used on inpatient settings as part of “symptom triggered dosing protocols”
Differentiate the different scores and their severity of alcohol withdrawal for CIWA.
0-9: very mild or absent
10-15: mild
16-20: moderate
>21-67: severe