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Citation |
Lawder R, Grant I, Storey C, Walsh D, Whyte B, Hanlon P. Public Health 2011; 125(8): 533-539. |
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Affiliation |
Scottish Public Health Observatory, National Services Scotland, Gyle Square, Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, UK. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
21794884 |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To examine a broad range of risk factors and their association with alcohol-related hospital admissions in a Scottish general population. DESIGN: Observational record-linkage study in Scotland from 1998 to 2008 involving 8305 respondents aged 16-74 years who participated in the 1998 Scottish Health Survey. Outcome was defined as first-time hospital admission with at least one alcohol-related diagnosis. METHODS: Cox proportional hazards modelling was applied to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of first-time hospitalization with an alcohol-related condition associated with a range of behavioural, social and biological risk factors. FINDINGS: In total, 287 (3.4%) respondents experienced at least one alcohol-related hospitalization during the observation period. Moderate to excessive drinking was the strongest predictor of subsequent admission to hospital with an alcohol-related diagnosis, with clear evidence of a dose - response relationship. Moderate and heavy smoking were also significant predictors of subsequent admission to hospital with an alcohol-related problem. Social factors - such as being in receipt of income-related benefits [HR 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.28]; being retired or economically inactive; and being separated, divorced or widowed (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.70-3.22) - were also significant predictors of alcohol-related hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate and higher levels of weekly alcohol consumption, moderate to heavy smoking, economic circumstances and marital status are the main risk factors for alcohol-related hospitalization in the Scottish population. These findings add to the evidence that population-based strategies are needed to limit alcohol-related morbidity. Language: en |