Open AccessWernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and other chronic neurological syndromes related to alcohol abuse: prevention in people without home
Author(s) -
Derly Judaissy Díaz Rodríguez,
Jeffrey Andrés Díaz Rodríguez,
Diva Constanza Gil Forero,
María Paula Pineda Díaz
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.686
Subject(s) - population , psychiatry , medicine , psychological intervention , referral , abstinence , alcohol abuse , environmental health , family medicine
The homeless population has a high prevalence of alcoholism and consumption of other drugs, which also means that they are at greater risk of developing all complications resulting from alcohol abuse. (MILER et al, 2021). The medical attention for homeless population is a device of the Unified Health System that claims social, health policies and the guarantee of fundamental rights (BRASIL, 2009). Methods: Evaluation of protocols and referral flows for the treatment of patients with ‘mental disorders and due to alcohol use’, of the medical attention for homeless population in the city of Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro), between April / 2020 and April 2021, data from e-SUS, and literature review. Results: The city of Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro) registered 259 people without home, 84.8% are men, all people are adults between 20-74 years old, 98% are born Brazilians, 92% reported alcohol consumption, and alcohol with other drugs 61% (cocaine, crack, marijuana, solvent, tobacco). There was 3 patients with diagnose of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: 2 men and 1 woman (aged 60-65 years) in the period from April 2020 - April 2021 (BRAZIL, 2021 The medical attention for homeless population approach to alcoholism includes the CAGE and AUDIT tests, symptomatic treatment and brief psychological interventions. aimed at weaning, and the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale Revised scale to quantify the degree of abstinence. However, the majority of users do not want total cessation, generally they choose to reduce consumption (secondary prevention), and later recovery and reintegration into society, highlighting that self-help groups and social assistance have a prominent role (tertiary prevention) (MARSCHARLL; GREGANTI, 2002; LONGO, et al., 2013). Conclusion: Despite confounding / aggravating factors such as social determinants in health, and the difficulties of the health network, the medical attention for homeless population is fundamental in the secondary and tertiary prevention of neurological diseases due to chronic alcohol consumption; complex cases require complex interventions, that is, individualization, adaptation and flexibility.