Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is a method used by registered practitioners to measure the severity of a patient's opioid withdrawal symptoms. This method consists of a series of 11 topics each comprising 4 - 5 common symptoms experienced by a patient undergoing opioid withdrawal. In each topic a rank is given depending on what the patient responds to. Generally, 0 is considered to be no symptom shown and 4 or 5 is considered to be the most common and severe symptom shown. These results are then added up and a final diagnosis is made based on the value obtained. This test is crucial as it allows the practitioner to assess the physiological and psychological behaviours of the patient as well as the severity of each symptom during the duration of the examination.[1] The results are grouped into 3 categories of mild, moderately severe and severe. Mild consists of 5 to 12 points, moderately severe consists of 13 to 24 points and anything above 36 points is severe and requires direct medical attention.[2]
Scales measuring withdrawal symptoms examine the dependence of an individual on the opioids consumed before undertaking any sort of medical induction such as buprenorphine. Measuring opioid withdrawal symptoms was first introduced to clinics, hospitals and used as a source of evidence for researchers around the mid-1930s.[1] Over time, the progression and development in health and medicine allowed the introduction of new and more advanced scales which tested for more signs and symptoms. The most recent scale that has been introduced is COWS.
This useful tool provides the opportunity for practitioners to ensure an effective and efficient treatment process and researchers the ability to unlock new developments within the area of study.
^ abWesson DR, Ling W (2003-06-01). "The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS)". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 35 (2): 253–9. doi:10.1080/02791072.2003.10400007. PMID 12924748. S2CID 39160111.
^"Home - Drug Interactions". drug-interactions.medicine.iu.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
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