A Ten year review of alcohol use and major trauma in a Canadian province: still a major problem

摘要

Background Alcohol plays a significant role in major traumatic injuries. While the role of alcohol in motor vehicle trauma (MVT) is well described, its role and approaches to prevention in other injury mechanisms is less defined. Methods A 10?year retrospective examination of Alberta Trauma Registry (ATR) data was conducted on all major trauma patients (age?≥?9 and ISS?≥?12) from 2001–2010. The role and prevalence of alcohol is examined. Results Of 22,457 patients included in our study, only 60?%( n =?13,552) were screened for alcohol use. Of those screened, 38?%( n =?5,170) tested positive for alcohol with a mean blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 39.4?±?21.1?mmol/L. Of the positive screening tests, 82.3?% had BAC levels greater than the common legal driving limit of 17.4?mmol/L (0.08?%). Testing positive was associated with male gender ( p Conclusions The prevalence of alcohol use in major trauma appears to be increasing in Alberta but the true extent is still underappreciated. Furthermore, the role of alcohol in non-MVT injuries is significant and deserves further attention. The vast majority of patients involved in alcohol-related trauma are legally intoxicated. Alcohol use continues to be a substantial contributor to major trauma in Alberta, and represents an important opportunity to reduce preventable injuries.