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Published on: June 23, 2023
Ethanol exposure and isolated traumatic brain injury
James H Brennan1, Stephen Bernard2, Peter A Cameron3
1Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Ethanol exposure in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI) did not significantly impact in-hospital mortality rates. Further research is needed to determine any potential neuroprotective or harmful effects of ethanol in iTBI patients.
Area of Science:
- Trauma research
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Ethanol exposure increases the risk of sustaining isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI).
- The effect of ethanol on mortality after iTBI is not well understood, with conflicting hypotheses of neuroprotection versus harm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ethanol exposure and in-hospital mortality in patients with iTBI.
- To determine if ethanol has a neuroprotective or harmful effect once an iTBI has occurred.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with iTBI (Head AIS score ≥3, other regions AIS <3) from the Alfred Hospital trauma registry (2006-2012).
- Inclusion criteria required recorded ethanol levels on admission.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between ethanol exposure (continuous variable) and in-hospital mortality.
Main Results:
- 1688 patients with iTBI met the inclusion criteria.
- 577 patients (34.2%) tested positive for ethanol.
- Ethanol exposure was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.02; p=0.19).
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of iTBI patients have ethanol exposure.
- Ethanol exposure was not independently associated with increased or decreased in-hospital mortality following iTBI.
- The neuroprotective or harmful effects of ethanol in iTBI require further investigation through prospective trials.
