View source for Prediction of alcohol withdrawal severity scale

*Risk assessment scale to predict severe alcohol withdrawal

==Criteria==

*'''Part A:''' Threshold criteria
**Have you consumed any amount of alcohol (i.e. been drinking) within the last 30 days?
**Did the patient have a positive blood alcohol level on admission?
**If the answer to either is YES then proceed to the next questions
*'''Part B:''' Patient criteria (1 point each)
**Have you been recently intoxicated or drunk within the last 30 days?
**Have you ever undergone alcohol use disorder rehabilitation treatment or treatment for alcoholism? (i.e. inpatient or outpatient treatment programs or AA attendance)
**Have you ever experienced any previous episodes of alcohol withdrawal, regardless of severity?
**Have you ever experienced blackouts?
**Have you ever experienced alcohol withdrawal seizures?
**Have you ever experienced delirium tremens or DTs?
**Have you combined alcohol with other "downers" like benzodiazepines or barbiturates, during the last 90 days?
**Have you combined alcohol with any other substances of abuse, during the last 90 days?
*'''Part C:''' Clinical evidence (1 point each)
**Was the patient's blood alcohol level greater than 43.5 mmol/L? OR
***For men, have you consumed more than 3 standard drinks in the past 12 hours?
***For women, have you consumed more than 2 standard drinks in the past 12 hours?
**Is there any evidence of increased autonomic activity? e.g. heart rate over 120 bpm, tremor, agitation, sweating, nausea

==Interpretation==

*A score of '''3 or lower''' suggests '''low risk''', and outpatient management is suitable
*A score of '''4 or higher''' suggests '''high risk''' for severe/complicated alcohol withdrawal, and prophylaxis or inpatient treatment are indicated

[[Category:Addiction medicine]]