Alcohol-Related Metabolic Emergencies.

Lorelle Knight-Dunn, Julie Gorchynski

Journal: Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America 2026;55(1):133-143

PMID: 41656029

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Patients with alcohol use disorders are commonly identified and managed in the emergency department. Although the alcohol-intoxicated patient has a high risk for significant injury and diseases, the majority will be allowed to sober in the emergency department and can be discharged without incident. However, there are metabolic derangements in these patients, such as alcoholic ketoacidosis, Wernicke-Korsakoff, and potomania that very commonly present similar to intoxication and can be misdiagnosed by emergency clinicians.

Address: Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.; Department of Emergency Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7736, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2025.02.012

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Emergencies, Metabolic Diseases, Alcoholism, Emergency Service, Hospital, Ketosis, Alcoholic Intoxication