Prevalence of alcoholism in a Sydney Teaching Hospital: some aspects

This paper presents some preliminary findings from an epidemiological study of inpatients in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1977. The sample included 457 patients. Of these, 15% were found to have alcohol-related reasons for admission to hospital, and 33% had concomitant alcohol problems. The drinking habits of 30% of males and 9% of females placed them at risk. Some commonly used laboratory tests are evaluated.