a. CASE REPORT: PROLONGED DELIRIUM TREMENS
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2025
Yazarlar: Sevtap Tolaman, Rasim TUNÇEL, Barış Örs, Damla İşman Haznedaroğlu
Archives of Neuropsychiatry, Uluslararası, Wos, 2025, cilt 62, ss 290-292
DOI: 10.29399/npa.28896
Özet
Alcohol plays a leading role in substance use disorders, and alcohol abuse is a matter of great concern due to the escalating rates of morbidity and mortality in the population (1).The lifetime risk of having delirium tremens (DT) in the population with alcohol use disorders is between 5% and 10% (2).The current DT diagnostic requirements involve an alteration in consciousness and cognitive function or perceptual disturbances that develop rapidly and the onset of these symptoms during or shortly after the cessation of heavy alcohol consumption.Delirium tremens results in extended hospitalization, elevating healthcare costs and mortality risk (3).Death may occur because of hyperthermia, fluid loss, electrolyte imbalance, infection, or cardiovascular collapse.Identified risk factors for DT include low serum potassium, low platelet count, the presence of structural brain lesions, increased blood pressure, medical comorbidities, and a history of complicated withdrawal syndromes (DT and/or withdrawal seizures) (4,5).Mortality in hospitalized patients with DT can be reduced with adequate treatment (6), but there is no consensus on the most effective medications to address prolonged delirium.The typical duration of delirium is three to five days, with some cases extending up to two weeks.However, exceptional instances of even longer DT have been reported (7).Most patients have underlying medical factors that contribute to their symptom's occurrence and prolongation.This case report presents a case of prolonged DT that was completely resolved after 56 days.The patient has given informed written consent for the case report to be published anonymously.