Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: retrospective study of an inpatient alcohol treatment unit

Background: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms that may occur after a sudden cessation of or reduction in alcohol consumption following a period of prolonged heavy drinking. Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (CAWS) is considered if patients develop alcohol withdrawal-related seizures or delirium tremens, and it represents significant challenges in the management of individuals undergoing alcohol detoxification. This descriptive retrospective study aims to investigate cases of CAWS within a specialized alcohol treatment unit over a one-year period, shedding light on the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes aswell to review and estabelish recommentadentions.
Methods: A descriptive retrospective study analysis was conducted using data obtained from the Hospital Júlio de Matos alcohol inpatient treatment unit's records, using SClinic®, from january to december of 2023. Quality assessment criteria were established to evaluate the service's effectiveness. Clinical cases were thoroughly described, including patient demographics, medical history, severity of dependency and withdrawal symptoms, comorbid psychiatric conditions and response to pharmacological interventions. A comprehensive review of existing literature on CAWS enriched the contextual understanding of the subject.
Results: The study revealed a incidence of 3,6% CAWS episodes within the detoxification service, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions. Withdrawal symptoms varied widely, and 6 out of 166 episodes experienced severe complications (all delirium tremens) necessitating medical intervention. Detailed clinical case descriptions provided nuanced insights into the presentations of CAWS, on patient challenges and treatment responses. The comprehensive review synthesized existing knowledge, providing a broader perspective on CAWS management.
Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of understanding the epidemiology and contributing factors of CAWS in the inpatient detoxification setting. The discussion delves into the implications of the risk factors, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and heightened clinical vigilance for at-risk individuals. Insights from this statistical analysis contribute to the ongoing discourse on optimizing the management of complicated alcohol withdrawal, informing clinicians and healthcare providers about key considerations for more effective treatment strategies in the context of inpatient detoxification. The retrospective nature of the study and reliance on electronic health records may introduce limitations, aswell as the small sample size. Future prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore additional factors influencing CAWS within alcohol treatment units.