Author:
Kip Lindsey Marie,Forni Allison,Dorfman Jon David,Li Irene
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Up to 30% of trauma patients experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) during their hospital admission, which is associated with worse outcomes. While benzodiazepines and phenobarbital are the mainstay of AWS management, there are limited data on the prevention of AWS. The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of phenobarbital for the prevention of AWS.
METHODS
Adult patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center who received at least one dose of phenobarbital for the prevention of AWS between January 2019 and August 2021 were included. Patients were case matched to a control group managed with symptom-triggered therapy based on risk of AWS. Risk factors included sex, age, history of AWS/delirium tremens or withdrawal seizures, selected laboratory values, and screening questionnaires. The primary endpoint was the need for rescue therapy. Secondary endpoints included the time to rescue therapy, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS.
RESULTS
Overall, 110 patients were included with 55 patients in each group. The phenobarbital group had higher baseline Injury Severity Scores (p = 0.03) and were more likely to be admitted to the ICU (44% vs. 24%; p = 0.03). The phenobarbital group required less rescue therapy (16% vs. 62%; p < 0.001) with a longer time to rescue therapy administration (26 vs. 11 hours; p = 0.01). The phenobarbital group had a longer hospital LOS (216 vs. 87 hours; p = 0.0001) but no difference in ICU LOS (p = 0.36). There was no incidence of delirium tremens or seizures and no difference in intubation rates (p = 0.68). There was no incidence of hypotension associated with phenobarbital.
CONCLUSION
Patients managed with phenobarbital had a lower need for rescue therapy for AWS with no increased adverse effects. Further studies should evaluate a protocol to prevent alcohol withdrawal in the trauma population.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine,Surgery
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献