Young people with prior health service contacts have increased risk of repeated alcohol‐related harm hospitalisations

Abstract

Introduction After a first alcohol‐related hospitalisation in youth, subsequent hospitalisations may demonstrate an increased risk of further alcohol‐related hospitalisations, but there is no existing data on this. Methods A retrospective longitudinal study between July 1992 and June 2017 using linked hospital administrative data identified 23 464 Western Australian young people [9009 (38.4%) females and 14 455 (61.6%) males], aged 12–24 years hospitalised for at least one alcohol‐related harm (ARH) episode of care. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) between risk factors and repeated alcohol‐related hospitalisation after the first discharge for ARH. Results Of those admitted for an alcohol‐related hospitalisation (n = 23 464), 21% (n = 4996) were readmitted for ARH. This high‐risk sub‐group comprised 46% (n = 16 017) of the total alcohol‐related admissions (n = 34 485). After the first discharge for ARH, 16% (804) of people who experienced an alcohol‐related readmission were readmitted within 1 month, and 51.8% (2589) were readmitted within 12 months. At increased risk of readmission were Aboriginal people and those with prior health service contacts occurring before their first alcohol‐related hospitalisation, including illicit drug hospitalisations, mental health contacts and, in a sub‐analysis, emergency department presentations. Discussion and Conclusions The probability of a repeated ARH hospitalisation was highest in the first month after initial discharge. There is a high‐risk sub‐group of young people more likely to have a repeat ARH hospitalisation. This represents an opportunity to provide interventions to those most at risk of repeated ARH.

The hidden impact of alcohol on young victims: an analysis of alcohol-related police offences resulting in hospitalisation

“…Alcohol-related harm (ARH) continues to be a significant public health concern, particularly among young individuals who are disproportionately impacted by its detrimental effects [ 1 – 3 ]. The consequences of excessive alcohol consumption extend beyond the immediate physical and psychological effects experienced by the drinker [ 4 ].…”

“…However, a limitation arises regarding capturing the full scope of ARH. Hospital administrative data primarily focus on patients admitted with alcohol-related diagnoses, thus overlooking cases where the perpetrator, rather than the hospitalised victim, had been under the influence of alcohol [ 3 , 9 ]. This limitation restricts the available diagnostic information, particularly within emergency department (ED) data collections, as ICD codes often provide only the proximate cause of the injury [ 10 ].…”