Baclofen to Prevent Agitation Caused by Alcohol Withdrawal in the ICU

Alcohol use and abuse is common in many societies and is associated with adverse effects on health. According to the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2019, an estimated 14.1 million adults aged 18 years and older had alcohol use disorder, defined as “chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” Among the numerous alcohol-related diseases and harms, including liver cirrhosis, obesity, some cancers, injury, and suicide, only s ome directly contribute to acute critical illness. However, among patients with alcohol use or abuse who require intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital admission, alcohol withdrawal is an important factor that may complicate treatment and increase the risk of adverse outcomes.
Source: JAMA - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research