The impact of alcohol intoxication on injury severity and outcomes of adult patients with different trauma type

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to investigate the impact of alcohol intoxication on injury severity and outcomes of adult patients who experienced different modes of trauma. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study collected data of hospitalized patients who experienced trauma at age ≥20 years between January 1, 2009 and December 21, 2015, from the Trauma Registry System of a Level I trauma center. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs): alcohol intoxication (BAC of ≥50 mg/dL at the time of arrival to the emergency room) and nonalcohol intoxication (BAC of <50 mg/dL). The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of each injured body region, Injury Severity Score, length of stay (LOS) in the hospital, and in-hospital mortality of these trauma patients according to different modes of trauma were compared between patients with or without alcohol intoxication. Results: Among 20,513 patients included in this study, 1206 had alcohol intoxication and 19,307 did not. Patients with alcohol intoxication were predominantly males and younger than those without alcohol intoxication. Among patients who had a motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, fall accident, and hit by/against an object, AIS of ≥3 head/neck injuries more commonly occurred in patients with alcohol intoxication than in those without. In addition, compared to those without alcohol intoxication, patients with alcohol intoxication who experienced motorcycle accidents and hit by/against an object had longer hospital LOS, whereas those who experienced motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents had significantly higher mortality rates. Conclusions: This study revealed that alcohol intoxication had impacted the injury severity and outcomes in adult patients who experienced different modes of trauma.