Chronic alcohol abuse, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ dysfunction

To review the effects of chronic alcohol abuse on the incidence, severity, and pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction.

A summary of published medical literature from MEDLINE search files and other reviews published concerning chronic alcohol abuse and critical illness.

A history of chronic alcohol abuse is associated with an increased incidence and severity of ARDS in critically ill patients. In two separate epidemiologic studies, involving 571 intensive care patients, chronic alcohol abuse was a significant comorbid variable that increased the incidence of ARDS by nearly three-fold and was associated with more severe nonpulmonary organ dysfunction. In addition, nearly 50% of all ARDS patients had a significant history of chronic alcohol abuse, making the association between chronic alcohol abuse and ARDS a common scenario in the intensive care unit. By using animal models of chronic ethanol ingestion, researchers have identified alcohol-mediated alterations in epithelial and endothelial cell function, surfactant synthesis and secretion, alveolar-capillary barrier function, and lung matrix content and composition. More importantly, similar changes have been reported in humans with a history of chronic alcohol abuse. Individuals with a history of chronic alcohol abuse have decreased concentrations of glutathione in the epithelial lining fluid of the lung, which do not significantly increase after 1 wk of abstinence from alcohol. The total protein concentration in the epithelial lining fluid also is increased in these individuals with a history of chronic alcohol abuse compared with healthy controls, suggesting alterations in alveolar-capillary barrier function.

Chronic alcohol abuse is associated with an increased incidence of ARDS and the severity of multiple organ dysfunction. This research has implications in understanding the diagnosis of, and prognosis for, critically ill patients who are at risk of developing ARDS. It also may lead to the development of novel therapies for those patients at greatest risk of acute lung injury as a consequence of chronic alcohol abuse.