Alcohol use disorder symptoms and risk-taking behavior as predictors of alcohol-related medical events among young adults treated in emergency departments

Kelly, Thomas M.; Donovan, John E.; Cornelius, Jack R.; Bukstein, O. G.; Delbridge, T. R.; Kinnane, J. M.

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.07.005

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Alcohol use disorder symptoms and risk-taking behavior as predictors of alcohol-related medical events among young adults treated in emergency departments
Citation	Kelly TM, Donovan JE, Cornelius JR, Bukstein OG, Delbridge TR, Kinnane JM. Addict. Behav. 2005; 30(9): 1674-1689.
Affiliation	Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States.
Copyright	(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)
DOI	10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.07.005
PMID	16099594
Abstract	BACKGROUND: Studies of alcohol-positive patients in emergency departments are not clear on the relationship between alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and risk for injury. METHOD: Two-hundred three young adults (118 males (58%); mean age=19.4 years) who were treated in two Level-1 emergency departments (ED) received comprehensive psychiatric interviews and completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Events (CARE). RESULTS: Males diagnosed with the AUD symptom of "drinking more or over a longer period than intended" are at greatest risk for requiring emergency care for an alcohol-related medical problem (OR=10.8, 95% CI=1.2,94.3, p<.04). Risk-taking behaviors increase risk for an alcohol-related medical event for both genders (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.1,5.6.1, p<.03). Alcohol use disorder severity related negatively to risk for experiencing an alcohol-related medical problem (OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.4,0.9, p<.04). CONCLUSIONS: Young adults treated for alcohol-related medical problems often exhibit DSM-IV defined symptoms of AUD and are engaging in risk-taking behaviors and should be referred for an in-depth assessment of alcohol use disorders and risk-taking activities.