Dementia due to use of alcohol

Description

Dementia due to use of alcohol is characterised by the development of persistent cognitive impairments (e.g., memory problems, language impairment, and an inability to perform complex motor tasks) that meet the definitional requirements of Dementia that are judged to be a direct consequence of alcohol use and that persist beyond the usual duration of alcohol intoxication or acute withdrawal. The intensity and duration of alcohol use must have been sufficient to produce the cognitive impairment. The cognitive impairment is not better accounted for by a disorder or disease that is not induced by alcohol such as a dementia due to another disorder or disease classified elsewhere.

Coding note

This category should never be used in primary tabulation. The codes are provided for use as supplementary or additional codes when it is desired to identify the presence of dementia in diseases classified elsewhere. When dementia is due to multiple aetiologies, code all that apply. This category should not be used to describe cognitive changes due to thiamine deficiency associated with chronic alcohol use.

Coding note from above levels

This category should never be used in primary tabulation. The codes are provided for use as supplementary or additional codes when it is desired to identify the presence of dementia in diseases classified elsewhere. When dementia is due to multiple aetiologies, code all that apply.

This category should only be used for primary tabulation, if the aetiology of the dementia is unknown. If the aetiology of the dementia is known code to the aetiology of the dementia for primary tabulation. When dementia is due to multiple aetiologies, code all that apply.

Inclusions

• Alcohol-induced dementia

Excludes

• 5B5A.1 – Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
• 5B5A.11 – Korsakoff syndrome

Exclusions from above levels

• 6D85.2 – Dementia due to exposure to heavy metals or other toxins
• 6A00 – Disorders of intellectual development
• 6D70 – Delirium