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Can the Blood Alcohol Concentration Be a Predictor for Increased Hospital Complications in Trauma Patients Involved in Motor Vehicle Crashes?

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime H. Kapur

    (University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery, Clinical Science Center H4/7, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA)

  • Victoria Rajamanickam

    (University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery Biostatistiscs, 5105 Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR) Building 1485, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA)

  • Michael F. Fleming

    (University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine, UW Department of Family Medicine 1100 Delaplaine Ct., Madison, WI 53715, USA)

Abstract

The goal of this report is to assess the relationship of varying levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and hospital complications in patients admitted after motor vehicle crashes. Data for the study was collected by a retrospective review of the University of Wisconsin Hospital trauma registry between 1999 and 2007 using the National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons (NTRACS). Of 3729 patients, 2210 (59%) had a negative BAC, 338 (9%) 200 mg/dL. Forty-six percent of patients had one or more hospital related complications. The odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal in the three alcohol groups compared to the no alcohol group was 12.02 (CI 7.0–20.7), 16.81 (CI 10.4–27.2), and 30.96 (CI 19.5–49.2) as BAC increased with a clear dose response effect. While there were no significant differences in the frequency of the total hospital events following trauma across the four groups, rates of infections, coagulopathies, central nervous system events and renal complications were lower in the high BAC group. Prospective studies are needed to more precisely estimate the frequency of hospital complications in patients with alcohol use disorders and in persons intoxicated at the time of the motor vehicle accident. The study supports the use of routine BAC to predict patients at high risk for alcohol withdrawal and the early initiation of alcohol detoxification.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime H. Kapur & Victoria Rajamanickam & Michael F. Fleming, 2010. "Can the Blood Alcohol Concentration Be a Predictor for Increased Hospital Complications in Trauma Patients Involved in Motor Vehicle Crashes?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:3:p:1174-1185:d:7516
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