Low rates of thiamine prescribing in adult patients with alcohol-related diagnoses in the emergency department

ABSTRACT

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with thiamine deficiency and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). Thiamine supplementation for the prevention of WKS in patients with suspected AUD in the Emergency Department (ED) is generally recommended. As alcohol-related diagnoses are frequent reasons for visits to EDs, ED thiamine prescribing practices are relevant to the overall management and prevention of WKS in patients with AUD.

Objective: To determine the prescription rates of thiamine to patients with alcohol-related diagnoses in the ED.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review conducted at two New York City urban teaching hospitals from January 1 to December 31, 2017. All patients 18 years or older who were given an alcohol-related diagnosis (all F10 ICD-10-CM codes) upon disposition were included. Collected data included details of thiamine prescribing practices, patient demographics and patient disposition.

Results: A total of 7,529 patient visits with an alcohol-related diagnosis were identified. The overall median age of included patients was 44; 5747 (76.3%) patient visits were by men; 310 (4.1%) patient visits resulted in admission. Out of all patient visits, thiamine was ordered during 167 (2.2%) visits, with thiamine administered parenterally during 129 (77.2%) visits and orally in 38 (22.8%) visits. Out of patient visits specifically associated with an F10.2 (Alcohol Dependence) diagnosis, thiamine was ordered during 105 (17.8%) visits.

Conclusion: We found a very low rate of thiamine prescribing during patient visits associated with alcohol-related diagnoses. This may be a missed opportunity to reduce morbidity and mortality among AUD ED patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Thiamine
• alcohol use disorder
• Wernicke encephalopathy
• Korsakoff psychosis
• emergency department

This article is referred to by:

Thiamine administration to all patients with alcohol use disorder: why not?

Additional information

Funding

The authors report no relevant disclosures. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.