Citation

Rivara FP, Jurkovich GJ, Gurney JG, Seguin D, Fligner CL, Ries R, Raisys VA, Copass M. Arch. Surg. (1960) 1993; 128(8): 907-12; discussion 912-3.

Affiliation

Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Wash.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8102049

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of acute alcohol intoxication and the proportion of trauma patients with evidence of chronic alcohol abuse. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Regional level I trauma center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 18 years and older admitted with blunt or penetrating trauma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Admission blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), the Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (SMAST), and biochemical markers for chronic alcohol abuse. RESULTS: Of the 2,657 patients enrolled, 47.0% had a positive BAC and 35.8% were intoxicated (BAC > or = 100 mg/dL) on admission to the emergency department. Intoxicated patients were more likely to be 25 to 34 years old, male, and nonwhite; the highest proportion of intoxicated patients was among victims of stab wounds. Three fourths of acutely intoxicated patients had evidence of chronic alcoholism as indicated by a positive SMAST, and 25% to 35% of acutely intoxicated patients had biochemical evidence of chronic alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of both acute intoxication and chronic alcoholism in trauma patients indicates the need to diagnose and appropriately treat this pervasive problem in trauma victims.