The relationship between alcohol consumption and injury in ED trauma patients

Alcohol-related injuries are significantly more serious than non-alcohol-related injuries. However, there have been few data on the relationship between alcohol consumption and injury in the Korea. This study was designed to determine the absence or presence of alcohol consumption at the time of injury and the relationship between the quantity of alcohol and the extent of injury.

The study subjects consisted of trauma patients aged 15 years or older with the emergency department admission at 5 emergency medical centers. With the informed consent, patients were screened using the questionnaire and blood alcohol concentration. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the blood alcohol concentration level: the nonintoxicated and intoxicated groups. The demographic characteristics, cause of injury, injury severity, and length of hospitalization were compared between the 2 groups.

Of a total of 407 cases, there were 123 cases in the intoxicated group and 284 cases in the nonintoxicated group. As to the severity of injury, an Abbreviated Injury Scale was significantly higher in the head and face. Injury Severity Score was higher in intoxicated group with marginal statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the total length of hospitalization, but the length of intensive care unit admission was significantly longer in the intoxicated group than in the nonintoxicated group.

There may be no significant correlation between alcohol consumption and injury severity. However, injury severity may increase with increasing quantity of alcohol and be greater in head injuries.