11 P R A C E O R Y G I N A L N E Nowowiejska skala nasilenia objawów alkoholowego zespołu abstynencyjnego (skala NOWA) Nowowiejska alcohol withdrawal assessment scale (NOWA Scale) Dariusz Wasilewski 1, 2 , Marcin Wojnar 1 , Iwona Grobel 2 , GraĪyna Wieczorkowska 3 , Izabela ĩmigrodzka 1 , Sylwia Fudalej 1 1 Katedra i Klinika Psychiatryczna Akademii Medycznej, Warszawa 2 Centrum Psychoprofilaktyki i Terapii, Warszawa 3 Wydzia ł Psychologii, Uniwersytet Warszawski Abstract – Background. A reliable assessment of severity of alcohol withdrawal is essential for monitoring efficacy of treatment applied. Among many instruments, the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol Scale (CIWA-A) created by Shaw et al. is most widely used. Methods. We modified and revised the CIWA-A Scale. Results. On the basis of clinical evaluation and statistical analyses we shortened the CIWA-A to seven items, which are the most clinically pertinent. We added the item of heart rate, which is strongly related with autonomic hyperactivity. Conclusions. NOWA Scale appears to be a valid and reliable instrument, which takes only five minutes to administer. The new scale is useful in monitoring clinical course and treat- ment of alcohol withdrawal. Key words: alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens, CIWA-A Scale Badania finansowane przez AkademiĊ Medyczną w Warszawie: granty na pracĊ własną nr IIE-18, nr IIE-67 i nr P-71. Alkoholizm i Narkomania 2006, Tom 19: nr 1, 11-23 © 2006 Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii