Citation

Maio RF, Waller PF, Blow FC, Hill EM, Singer KM. Acad. Emerg. Med. 1997; 4(4): 256-262.

Affiliation

University of Michigan, Department of Surgery, Ann Arbor, USA. ronmaio@umich.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9107322

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 1) To determine the prevalence of current alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence (AA/AD) among the full injury range of ED motor vehicle crash (MVC) patients; and 2) compare AA/AD and non-AA/AD patient characteristics. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study using a stratified random sample of MVC patients aged > or = 18 years presenting to a university hospital and university-affiliated community hospital ED from May 1, 1992, to August 30, 1994. A diagnosis of current AA/AD was based on the alcohol section of the Diagnostic Interview Survey (DIS). Other measurements included the presence of blood alcohol (BAC+), Injury Severity Score (ISS-85), occupant status (driver/passenger), age, gender, seat belt use, culpability for crash, and ED disposition (admitted vs released). A weighted prevalence was determined; subgroups were compared using t-tests, chi 2, 2-factor analysis, and logistic regression modeling; alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: 1,161 patients were studied. The weighted prevalence of current AA/AD was 22.5%; 53% of these patients were released from the ED. Almost 45% of the patients with current AA/AD were BAC-. When controlling for BAC and AA/AD, greater injury severity and culpability were associated with a BAC+, but not with current AA/AD. CONCLUSION: Almost 23% of ED MVC patients have current AA/AD; BAC testing does not accurately identify these patients. Intervention strategies must be directed to both admitted and released patients.