Dietetic Practice With Patients Undergoing Alcohol Withdrawal: Towards Recommendations for Practice

<p dir="ltr">Alcohol remains a leading risk factor for death and disability significantly contributing to global disease burden. Social and environmental factors can influence alcohol consumption and lead to hazardous patterns of use contributing to the development of other health conditions such as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), cardiovascular disease and nutritional abnormalities. Nutritional abnormalities may include electrolyte disturbances, micronutrient deficiency and/or malnutrition. These may be a result of the impact alcohol has on nutrient metabolism and digestion leading to malabsorption or may be through insufficient dietary intake secondary to food insecurity. In some instances, the negative effects of alcohol consumption may be experienced by others, such as those who are victims of domestic violence. Admission to hospital for detoxification and alcohol withdrawal may be required to interrupt heavy and sustained periods of alcohol use. This allows for comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals which may include a dietitian. Despite the known presence of nutritional abnormalities, there is a lack of clearly defined nutritional management guidelines to support healthcare professionals and dietitians.</p><p dir="ltr">The aim of this thesis was to comprehensively examine and synthesise the evidence on nutrition interventions for patients hospitalised for alcohol withdrawal; the various approaches to nutrition care for this cohort; the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the role of the dietitian; and the perspective of patients regarding nutrition. This analysis aims to identify key implications for clinical practice, by enhancing the understanding and application of nutrition and the role of the dietitian in this setting. This was achieved through an explanatory sequential design approach encompassing six studies examining current nutritional practice drawing on case studies in a metropolitan health service in Sydney, Australia to highlight implications for practice.</p>