Injured patients with very high blood alcohol concentrations.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Most data regarding high blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ≥400 mg/dL have been from alcohol poisoning deaths. Few studies have described this group and reported their alcohol consumption patterns or outcomes compared to other trauma patients. We hypothesised trauma patients with very high BACs arrived to the trauma centre with less severe injuries than their sober counterparts.

Method

Historical cohort of 46,222 patients admitted to a major trauma centre between January 1, 2002 and October 31, 2011. BAC was categorised into ordinal groups by 100 mg/dL intervals. Alcohol questionnaire data on frequency and quantity was captured in the BAC ≥400 mg/dL group. The primary analysis was for BAC ≥400 mg/dL.

Results

BAC was recorded in 44,502 (96.3%) patients. Thos

SUBMITTER: Afshar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4852150 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature