Entgiftung bei Alkoholabhängigen mit Clomethiazol oder Diazepam - Vergleich von Behandlungsvariablen

by Julia Friederike Schreiner
Doctoral thesis
Date of Examination:2025-06-24
Date of issue:2025-06-11
Advisor:Prof. Dr. Dirk Wedekind
Referee:Prof. Dr. Dirk Wedekind
Referee:PD Dr. Fabian Maaß
Persistent Address: http://dx.doi.org/10.53846/goediss-11298

 

 

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Abstract

English

Background: Current guidelines on alcohol-related disorders recommend pharmacological treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) based on symptom severity. In Germany, benzodiazepines—particularly diazepam—or clomethiazole are commonly used in inpatient care. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of diazepam and clomethiazole in the treatment of AWS. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 160 inpatient AWS cases was conducted (84 treated with diazepam, 76 with clomethiazole). The variables analyzed included duration of inpatient treatment, symptom severity and medication dosage. Statistical significance was assessed using the chi-square test (p<0.05). To assess the influence of combined benzodiazepine and alcohol withdrawal treatments on the results, a secondary analysis was performed excluding such combined treatments. Results: Diazepam was prescribed for a significantly longer duration, and the total administered dose was higher compared to clomethiazole. After excluding combined withdrawal cases, the difference in treatment duration remained significant, while the difference in total dosage did not. Conclusion: Both diazepam and clomethiazole are effective in managing AWS. Treatment choice often depends on individual patient factors. Clomethiazole may offer shorter treatment durations, but further studies with larger, more homogeneous populations are needed to confirm this result.
Keywords: clomethiazole; diazepam; AWS; alcohol withdrawal