Alcohol use and testing among older trauma victims in Maryland

Few studies have examined alcohol use in the older trauma population. The purpose of the present study was to examine blood alcohol level testing and results among older trauma patients.

All patients aged 65 years or older directly admitted from the injury scene and entered into the Maryland Trauma Registry during a 6-year period were reviewed.

The annual proportion of directly admitted patients of age 65 or older increased by 44% from 1996 to 2000. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured for 66% of older patients; 9% were alcohol positive, and 81% had BAC > or = 80 mg/dL. Mean BAC was 165 mg/dL for all alcohol-positive patients. The highest mean BAC was noted in patients with fall-related injuries, followed by pedestrians struck, then by those in a motor vehicle crash. The most common cause of injury was motor vehicle crash (47%). Among all injury causes, patients with fall-related injuries had the greatest proportional increase from 28% in 1996 to 44% in 2000. Alcohol positive status was most frequent (13%) and mean BAC was highest among patients admitted because of fall-related injuries.

Identifying and addressing alcohol use problems remains an important injury prevention measure for the older trauma population.