The effect of acute alcohol intoxication and chronic alcohol abuse on outcome from trauma.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of acute alcohol intoxication and chronic alcohol abuse on morbidity and mortality from trauma.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

Blunt or penetrating trauma patients at least 18 years of age admitted to one trauma center or dying at the injury scene.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mortality, complications (infection, pneumonia, respiratory failure, or multiple organ failure), and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Acute intoxication had no effect on risk of dying--at the injury scene, within the first 24 hours of hospitalization, after the first 24 hours, or overall. Acute intoxication also did not increase the risk of complications and was associated with shorter lengths of stay. Patients with both biochemical and behavioral evidence of chronic alcohol abuse had a twofold increased risk of complications, particularly pneumonia and any infection, compared with those with no evidence of chronic alcohol abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic, but not acute, alcohol abuse adversely affects outcome from trauma. Attention to the problem of chronic alcohol abuse in trauma patients is necessary, and screening trauma patients for chronic alcohol abuse appears to be warranted.