Two routine blood tests-mean corpuscular volume and aspartate aminotransferase-as predictors of delirium tremens in trauma patients.

Background: Delirium tremens (DT) in trauma patients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Short interview tools have been used to determine the risk of DT but require an alert, compliant patient and a motivated physician. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels are parts of routine laboratory testing, influenced by excessive alcohol consumption, and may serve as predictors of DT.

New-onset anxiety disorders at high altitude.

Objective: Studies on the neurologic effects of high-altitude travel have focused on psychometric and cognitive testing and the long-term effects of hypoxia on memory and cognition. Few authors have discussed overt clinical psychiatric illness during high-altitude travel, and those few have focused on patients with preexisting psychiatric diagnoses. We describe a series of patients with new-onset anxiety disorders at high altitude treated at the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinic in Pheriche, Nepal (4240 m) in the spring season of 2006.

The Role of Psychiatry in the Management of Acute Trauma Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, with high prevalence and recidivism in individuals with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Half of these disorders go undiagnosed by the trauma team, resulting in adverse public health and economic consequences. METHOD: In a 16-week pilot study in the emergency department of an inner-city tertiary care hospital, a psychiatrist was integrated into the trauma surgery team by responding to all traumas and rounding with the staff 1 shift per week (March 1, 2000, through June 31, 2000).