Table 1. Primary endpoints and patient parameters in critically ill patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal receiving dexmedetomidine versus propofol and/or lorazepam continuous infusions.
| Parameter | Patients treated with dexmedetomidine (n = 15) | Patients treated with propofol and/or lorazepam continuous infusion (n = 17) | P value* |
| Mean age, years | 44.8 | 49 | .316 |
| Sex (male), n | 11 | 16 | .098 |
| Mean CIWA-Ar scorea | 23.1 | 15 | .039 |
| Trauma patient, n | 2 | 1 | .589 |
| Mechanical ventilation, n | 2 | 10 | .006 |
| Mean length of intubationb, days | 0.95 | 4.1 | .264 |
| Mean intensive care unit length of stay, days | 2.2 | 4.8 | .016 |
| Mean hospital length of stay, days | 5.7 | 10 | .008 |
a
Thirteen patients (2 in the dexmedetomidine group, 11 in the propofol and /or lorazepam group) did not have Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar) scores on admission to the intensive care unit.
b
Patients treated with dexmedetomidine requiring intubation, n = 2; patients treated with propofol and/or a benzodiazepine requiring intubation, n = 10.
*
P value of less than .05 was considered significant.