Trends and outcomes of Alcoholic Intoxication in Trauma Patients

Abstract

Background:We sought to investigate the rate and trends of alcohol intoxication in different ages and sexes during last decade.Methods:Multivariate analysis was used to compare alcohol intoxication in different sexes and age groups and to investigate the trends present during the 2007-2019 period using TQP database.Results:We found 1,000,578 intoxicated trauma patients admitted to level I-III trauma centers during 2007-2019 within TQP database. Overall, 21.7% of intoxicated patients were women. The rate of intoxicated women increased significantly from 20.6% in 2007 to 33% in 2019. Intoxicated women have a significantly higher rate of self-inflicted trauma compared to intoxicated men (10.4% vs. 2.4%, P<0.01). Overall, 29.7% of intoxicated trauma patients had chronic alcohol abuse and the rate increased by age. Chronic alcohol abuse was higher in men (30.1% vs. 28.2%, OR: 1.09, CI:1.08-1.10, P<0.01) and elderly patients (age≥65) (39.8% vs. 28.9%, OR:1.62, CI: 1.60-1.65, P<0.01). Overall mortality for intoxicated trauma patients was 2.8%. Mortality of intoxicated men was higher than women (2.9% vs. 2.2%, OR: 1.32, CI: 1.28-1.37, P<0.01). Elderly intoxicated patients (age≥65) had a significantly higher mortality (4.9% vs. 2.6%, OR: 1.91, CI: 1.84-1.98, P<0.01). Also, elderly men had twice the mortality risk compared to elderly women (5.7% vs. 3%, OR: 1.96, CI: 1.80-2.14).Conclusion:There is a gradual increase in the rate of alcoholic intoxication in women with trauma during 2007-2019. Intoxicated women have a significantly higher rate of self-inflicted trauma compared to intoxicated men. Elderly patients with alcoholic intoxication, especially men, have a higher mortality. Further studies are needed to investigate preventive strategies for the increasing rate of alcoholic intoxication in women.