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BMC Emergency Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Influence of alcohol and other substances of abuse at the time of injury among patients in a Norwegian emergency department

Authors: Eirin Bakke, Stig Tore Bogstrand, Per Trygve Normann, Øivind Ekeberg, Liliana Bachs

Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

The presence of alcohol or other substances of abuse in blood or urine from injured patients is often used as a proxy for substance influence at the time of injury. The aim of this study was to obtain an estimate of substance influence at the time of injury based on blood concentrations of alcohol and other substances of abuse, and to explore the relationship between the substance prevalence at the time of admittance to the hospital and the actual influence at the time of the injury.

Methods

The study included all adult patients admitted to the emergency department of a university hospital during 1 year (n = 996). Quantification in blood was done by an enzymatic method for alcohol, and by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for 28 other substances of abuse. Concentrations of alcohol and other substances in blood at the time of injury were calculated. The degree of influence was assessed on the basis of the calculated blood concentrations, with a threshold of influence set at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 %, or a substance concentration leading to an influence similar to that of a BAC of 0.05 %.

Results

A total of 324 patients (32.5 %) were determined to be under the influence at the time of injury. In comparison, 394 patients (39.6 %) had one or more substances above the cut-off limit in blood at the time of admittance to the hospital. Alcohol was the most prevalent substance causing influence at 25.9 %. Among patients with violence-related injuries, almost 75 % were under the influence of alcohol and/or substances. Patients under the influence were younger, and men were more often under the influence than women. More patients were under the influence at nighttime and during weekends than at daytime and on weekdays.

Conclusions

About one third of the injured patients were determined to be under the influence at the time of injury, with alcohol being the most prevalent substance causing influence. Approximately 98 % of the patients with alcohol detected in blood at the time of admittance to the hospital were under the influence of alcohol at the time of injury.

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Title: Influence of alcohol and other substances of abuse at the time of injury among patients in a Norwegian emergency department
Authors: Eirin Bakke
Stig Tore Bogstrand
Per Trygve Normann
Øivind Ekeberg
Liliana Bachs
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-227X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-016-0085-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Influence of alcohol and other substances of abuse at the time of injury among patients in a Norwegian emergency department

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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