Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on May 3, 2005
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2005 40(4):269-273; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agh159
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ALCOHOL INTAKE AND THE PATTERN OF TRAUMA IN YOUNG ADULTS AND WORKING AGED PEOPLE ADMITTED AFTER TRAUMA
Department of Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland, 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tampere University and Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Finland
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Olli Savola, Oulu University Hospital, Box 25, FIN-90029, Oulu, Finland. Tel.: +358 8 315 4137; Fax: +358 8 315 4544; E-mail: olli.savola{at}oulu.fi
(Received 30 September 2004; first review notified 28 October 2004; in revised form 3 January 2005; accepted 6 January 2005)
Aims: To investigate the relationship of different patterns of alcohol intake to various types of trauma. Methods: We examined the associations of alcohol consumption in a series of 385 consecutive trauma admissions (278 men, 107 women, age range 16–49 years). Patients underwent clinical examinations, structured interviews on the amount and pattern of alcohol intake, and measurements of blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Results: On admission, 51% of the patients had alcohol in their blood. Binge drinking was the predominant (78%) drinking pattern of alcohol intake. Assaults, falls and biking accidents were the most frequent causes of trauma. Dependent alcohol drinking and binge drinking were found to be significantly more common among patients with head trauma than in those with other types of trauma (77% vs 59%, OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.77). The OR for sustaining head injury increased sharply with increasing BAC: 1–99 mg/dl (1.24; 95% CI 0.55–2.01), 100–149 mg/dl 1.64; 95% CI 0.71–3.77), 150–199 mg/dl (3.20; 95% CI 1.57–6.53) and >199 mg/dl (9.23; 95% CI 4.79–17.79). Conclusions: Binge drinking is a major risk factor for head trauma among trauma patients. Assaults, falls and biking accidents are the commonest causes for such injuries. The relative risk for head injury markedly increases with increasing blood alcohol levels. Alcohol control measures should feature in policies aiming at the prevention of trauma-related morbidity and mortality.
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