THE DEATHS IN ACUTE ETHANOL INTOXICATION

摘要

Romania ranks among the first places in the European Union in terms of the amount of alcohol consumed, harmful consumption pattern and alcohol-related mortality both in women and men. The paper presents the results of a retrospective epidemiological inquiry over the deaths due to acute alcohol intoxication (except physical violence), registered in the Forensic Service of Sibiu County in a 10 year period. The results show that death from acute alcohol intoxication accounted for 4% of the violent deaths. Their frequency was 2-fold higher during the weekend and up to 5 times higher during the cold periods of the year. Deaths are 7 times frequent among men and 3 times more common among rural population. People aged 40-60 have a 3-fold higher risk of dying from alcohol abuse. Hypothermia (in winter) and dilated cardiomyopathy are the main factors contributing when acute intoxication is the main cause of death. Hypothermia and mechanical asphyxia by drowning are the main causes of death when acute ethanol intoxication was a competitive factor.