Epidemiología del síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia Epidemiologyofalcoholwithdra walsyndrome inGaliciaAutonomicCommunity

We define alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) as a group of symptoms that may occur after decrease or suddenly stopping the alcohol intake, including headache, sweating, tremor, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, visual and auditive hallucinations, or convulsions. Some patients evolve to delirium tremens. Objective: �To determine the prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of AWS in Galicia (Spain), an autonomic community with high prevalence of risk drinkers, where the apparition of alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be frequent. Patients and methods: We have performed a retrospective analysis of the hospital in Galicia Hospitals with the diagnosis of Alcohol Withdrawal (AW) or Delirium Tremens (DT) from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2008. Data were provided by the computerized administrative database of the hospitals of Sergas and Povisa. Data were collected regarding age, gender, mean stay, admission department, length of stay and clinical course. Results: �We