Blood alcohol content prevalence among trauma patients seen at a level 1 trauma center

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of blood alcohol content (BAC) among patients seen at a level 1 trauma center. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out and patients were randomly selected at the emergency room of a level I trauma center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, throughout a year (August 1998 to August 1999). Blood samples were drawn and data was collected using an adapted version of a questionnaire developed by the Medical Research Institute of San Francisco -- Alcohol Research Group. RESULTS: A population sample of 464 patients was analyzed. Most of them were males (73.7%) and the median age was 29 years old. Positive BAC was found in 28.9% of the cases (CI95% 24.8--33.2) and in 84.3% BAC was =0.10%. Type of injury, gender, age group, marital status and outcome showed statistically significant associations with BAC with the highest BAC prevalence observed among assault victims (46.2%), males (33.9%), 25 to 44 years old (37.6%), singles (33.0%), and patients admitted in the hospital (41.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the relationship of alcohol and trauma. Preventive actions at different levels focusing on higher risk groups for alcohol-related injuries should be considered as part of prevention programs to both reduce injuries and curb recurrent events.