Does Alcohol Intoxication Protect Patients from Severe Injury and Reduce Hospital Mortality? The Association of Alcohol Consumption with the Severity of Injury and Survival in Trauma Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 1289-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Hsun Hsieh ◽  
Li-Ting Su ◽  
Yu-Chun Wang ◽  
Chih-Yuan Fu ◽  
Hung-Chieh Lo ◽  
...  

Alcohol-related motor vehicle collisions are a major cause of mortality in trauma patients. This prospective observational study investigated the influence of antecedent alcohol use on outcomes in trauma patients who survived to reach the hospital. From 2005 to 2011, all patients who were older than 18 years and were admitted as a result of motor vehicle crashes were included. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was routinely measured for each patient on admission. Patients were divided into four groups based on their BAC level, which included nondrinking, BAC less than 100, BAC 100 to 200, and BAC 200 mg/dL or greater. Patient demographics, physical status and injury severity on admission, length of hospital stay, and outcome were compared between the groups. Odds ratios of having a severe injury, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality were estimated. Patients with a positive BAC had an increased risk of sustaining craniofacial and thoracoabdominal injuries. Odds ratios of having severe injuries (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 16 or greater) and a prolonged hospital stay were also increased. However, for those patients whose ISS was 16 or greater and who also had a brain injury, risk of fatality was significantly reduced if they were intoxicated (BAC 200 mg/dL or greater) before injury. Alcohol consumption does not protect patients from sustaining severe injuries nor does it shorten the length of hospital stay. However, there were potential survival benefits related to alcohol consumption for patients with brain injuries but not for those without brain injuries. Additional research is required to investigate the mechanism of this association further.

2020 ◽  
pp. 000313482097371
Author(s):  
Aditya K. Devarakonda ◽  
Chase J. Wehrle ◽  
Fairouz L. Chibane ◽  
Peter D. Drevets ◽  
Elizabeth D. Fox ◽  
...  

Background Over 28 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported to date, resulting in over 900 000 deaths. With an increase in awareness regarding the virus, the behavior of general population has changed dramatically. As activities such as driving and hospital presentation patterns have changed, our study aimed to assess the differences in trauma case variables before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Trauma data for the period of March 1st-June 15th were compared for the years 2015-2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020 (COVID). The data were analyzed across the following categories: injury severity score, injury mechanism, motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) vs. other blunt injuries, alcohol involvement, and length of hospital stay. Results The median injury severity score pre-COVID and during COVID was 9, representing no change. There was no difference in overall distribution of mechanism of injury; however, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of MVCs pre-COVID (36.39%) vs. COVID (29.6%, P < .05). Alcohol was significantly more likely to be involved in trauma during COVID-19 ( P < .05). The mean hospital stay increased from 3.87-5.4 days during COVID-19 ( P < .05). Discussion We saw similar results to prior studies in terms of there being no change in trauma severity. Our observation that motor vehicle collisions have decreased is consistent with current data showing decreased use of motor vehicles during the pandemic. We also observed an increase in alcohol-related cases which are consistent with the reported changes in alcohol consumption since the pandemic began.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikaramjit Mann ◽  
Ediriweera Desapriya ◽  
Takeo Fujiwara ◽  
Ian Pike

Experimental studies in animals suggest that alcohol may influence pathophysiologic response to injury mechanisms. However, biological evidence for the alcohol-injury severity relationship provides conflicting results. The purpose of our retrospective cross-sectional study in 2,323 people was to assess whether blood alcohol level (BAC) adversely influences injury severity in victims of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). We found no difference in mortality OR 1.09 (0.73–1.62), or length of hospital stay, and a trend for lower ISS score was found in the high-alcohol group (P=0.052). Furthermore, the high-alcohol group demonstrated a lower adjusted rate of severe head injury OR 0.65 (0.48–0.87), chest injury OR 0.58 (0.42–0.80), and serious extremity injury OR 0.10 (0.01–0.76). The findings of our study do not demonstrate a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and injury severity in MVCs. This study implies that higher BAC may lead to less severe injuries, without impacting mortality or length of hospital stay, however, further research is required to elucidate the nature of this relationship.


Author(s):  
Mohanraj Kannan ◽  
Aishwarya Lakshmi L. G. ◽  
Rajakumar P. G. ◽  
Selvaraj R.

Background: Preterm babies with abnormal doppler velocimetry during second and third trimesters of pregnancy pose various early neonatal morbidities like recurrent hypoglycaemia, feed intolerance and prolonged hospital stay. In our study we compared the incidence of hypoglycaemia, feed intolerance, risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and length of hospital stay among preterm babies with abnormal doppler flow to the gestational age matched preterm babies with normal umbilical artery doppler flow velocimetry.Methods: 30 preterm babies who had abnormal umbilical artery flow during their last antenatal doppler scan were included as study group and gestational age matched 30 preterm babies who had normal doppler study had been taken as controls. The incidence of hypoglycaemia, feed intolerance, NEC, length of hospital stay had been compared between two groups.Results: The case group with abnormal umbilical artery doppler had increased incidence of hypoglycaemia (15 of 30 babies in case versus 5 of 30 babies in control) which was statistically significant. Feed intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis and length of hospital stay were all significantly increased in preterm babies with abnormal umbilical artery doppler when compared to preterm babies with normal umbilical artery doppler flow.Conclusions: Preterm babies with abnormal umbilical artery doppler were at increased risk of hypoglycaemia, feed intolerance, NEC and prolonged hospital stay. Knowledge on this is important to monitor closely for hypoglycaemia, gradually increase feeds and explain parents about expected morbidities which can increase the length of hospital stay in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e001097
Author(s):  
Chikondi Sharon Chimbatata ◽  
Master RO Chisale ◽  
Alfred Bornwell Kayira ◽  
Frank Watson Sinyiza ◽  
Balwani Chingatichifwe Mbakaya ◽  
...  

IntroductionSickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in Malawi. However, literature to comprehensively describe the disease in the paediatric population is lacking.MethodsA retrospective review of clinical files of children with SCD was conducted. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarise the data. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test was used to look for significant associations between predictor variables and outcome variables (case fatality and length of hospital stay). Predictor variables that were significantly associated with outcome variables (p≤0.05) in a χ2 or Fisher’s exact test were carried forward for analysis in a binary logistic regression. A multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify covariates that independently predicted length of hospital stay.ResultsThere were 16 333 paediatric hospitalisations during the study period. Of these, 512 were patients with SCD representing 3.1% (95% CI: 2.9%- 3.4%). Sixty-eight of the 512 children (13.3%; 95% CI: 10.5% - 16.5%) were newly diagnosed cases. Of these, only 13.2% (95% CI: 6.2% - 23.6%) were diagnosed in infancy. Anaemia (94.1%), sepsis (79.5%) and painful crisis (54.3%) were the most recorded clinical features. The mean values of haematological parameters were as follows: haemoglobin (g/dL) 6.4 (SD=1.9), platelets (×109/L) 358.8 (SD=200.9) while median value for white cell count (×109/L) was 23.5 (IQR: 18.0–31.2). Case fatality was 1.4% (95% CI: 0.6% - 2.8%)and 15.2% (95% CI: 12.2% -18.6%) of the children had a prolonged hospital stay (>5 days). Patients with painful crisis were 1.7 (95% CI: 1.02 - 2.86) times more likely to have prolonged hospital stay than those without the complication.ConclusionAnaemia, sepsis and painful crisis were the most common clinical features paediatric patients with SCD presented with. Patients with painful crisis were more likely to have prolonged hospital stay. Delayed diagnosis of SCD is a problem that needs immediate attention in this setting. Although somewhat encouraging, the relatively low in-hospital mortality among SCD children may under-report the true mortality from the disease considering community deaths and deaths occurring before SCD diagnosis is made.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashif Abbas ◽  
Masood Umer ◽  
Irfan Qadir ◽  
Jaweria Zaheer ◽  
Haroon ur Rashid

Purpose. To identify variables affecting length of hospital stay after total hip replacement (THR) while controlling for potential confounders. Methods. Records of 199 consecutive elective unilateral THRs were reviewed. Clinical and demographic data including age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, surgical factors (surgical approach, type of prosthesis, use of cement, operating time), anaesthetic factors (type of anaesthesia, ASA physical status), and length of hospital stay were recorded. Results. 64% of patients left hospital within 12 days, 28% within 3 weeks, and 8% after 3 weeks. The median length of hospital stay was longer in women than men (11.5 vs. 9 days, p=0.009), in patients aged >65 years than those younger (13 vs. 9 days, p<0.0001), and in those with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades 3 and 4 than grades 1 or 2 (14 vs. 9 days, p<0.0001). A greater proportion of women than men (45% vs. 27%, p=0.007), patients aged >65 years than those younger (61% vs. 37% or 24%, p<0.0001), and those with ASA grades 3 and 4 than grades 1 and 2 (68% vs. 25%, p<0.0001) stayed 12 days or longer. In the multiple regression analysis, the predictors for prolonged hospital stay (≥12 days) were patient age >65 years (p<0.003), female gender (p<0.05), and ASA grades 3 and 4 (p<0.0001). Of the 72 patients with prolonged stay, 7% had no, 26% had one, 42% had 2, and 25% had all 3 predictors. Conclusion. Prolonged hospital stay after THR is largely predetermined by case mix. Our study helps to identify individuals who need longer rehabilitation and more care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 691-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herng-Chia Chiu ◽  
Yi-Chieh Lin ◽  
Hui-Min Hsieh ◽  
Hsin-Pao Chen ◽  
Hui-Li Wang ◽  
...  

Objectives To assess the impact of minor, major and individual complications on prolonged length of hospital stay in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after surgery using multivariate models. Methods This was a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgery for stage I–III CRC at two medical centres in southern Taiwan between 2005–2010. Information was derived from four databases. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to assess the impact of complications on prolonged length of stay (PLOS) and prolonged postoperative length of stay (PPOLOS). Results Of 1658 study patients, 251 (15.1%) experienced minor or major postsurgical complications during hospitalizations. Minor and major complications were significantly associated with PLOS (minor, odds ratio [OR] 3.59; major, OR 8.82) and with PPOLOS (minor, OR 5.55; major, OR 10.00). Intestinal obstruction, anastomosis leakage, abdominal abscess and bleeding produced the greatest impact. Conclusions Minor and major complications were stronger predictors of prolonged hospital stay than preoperative demographic and disease parameters. Compared with the PLOS model, the PPOLOS model better predicted risk of prolonged hospital stay. Optimal surgical and medical care have major roles in surgical CRC patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Hassan Al-Thani ◽  
Ayman El-Menyar ◽  
Yugan Pillay ◽  
Monira Mollazehi ◽  
Ahammed Mekkodathil ◽  
...  

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are considered as a standard component of advanced pre-hospital emergency care system. We assessed the clinical presentation and outcomes of trauma patients transported by HEMS versus ground emergency medical services (GEMS).</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected trauma registry data at a level I trauma center was conducted for patients transported by GEMS and HEMS between 2011 and 2013. Patients’ data were categorized and analyzed based on the mode of transportation (MOT).</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 4596 trauma patients were admitted to the hospital with a mean age of 31±15 years. Injured patients were transported to the trauma centre by GEMS (93.3%) and HEMS (6.7%). The common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle crash (37%) and fall (25%). MVC victims were transported to the hospital by HEMS, whereas, patients with fall and pedestrian injuries (P=0.001 for all) were more likely to be transported by GEMS. Moreover, patients in the HEMS group had a higher frequency of head (p=0.001) and chest (p=0.001) injuries and required prolonged ICU and overall hospital stay (p=0.001). When compared with GEMS, HEMS group were more likely to sustain severe injuries (ISS&gt;15; p=0.001) and needed frequent on-scene intubation (P=0.001). Hospital mortality was grater in HEMS patients (10% vs 4%, p=0.001) in comparison to GEMS. Multivariate analysis, after adjusting for the confounding factors demonstrated that polytrauma and lower scene GCS were the independent predictors of mortality.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Patients transported by HEMS are characterized by greater injury severity, traumatic brain injury and on-scene intubation. Moreover, the mortality is 2.5 fold greater in patients transported by GEMS, however, the impact of MOT on mortality disappear after adjusting for potential confounders. Institutional guidelines that focus on clinical triage criteria, key environmental factors and reducing transport time may be informed by this study. Further investigations are needed to better quantifyestimate the pre-hospital time intervals and to identify the sub-groups of trauma patients who will clearly benefit from the use of HEMS.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhei Takauji ◽  
Toru Hifumi ◽  
Yasuaki Saijo ◽  
Shoji Yokobori ◽  
Jun Kanda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Accidental hypothermia (AH) has a low frequency, and the length of hospital stay in patients with AH remains poorly understood. The present study explored which factors were related to long-term hospitalization among patients with AH using Japan’s nationwide registry data.Methods: The data from the Hypothermia STUDY 2018, which included patients ≥ 18 years old with a body temperature ≤ 35°C, were obtained from a multicenter registry for AH conducted at 89 institutions throughout Japan, collected from December 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. The patients were divided into a “short-stay patients” group (within 7 days) and “long-stay patients” group (more than 7 days). A logistic regression analysis after multiple imputation was performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) for prolonged hospitalization with age, frailty, cause of hypothermia, mechanism underlying hypothermia, temperature, pH, potassium level, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score as independent variables.Results: In total, 656 patients were included in the study, of which 362 were eligible for the analysis. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days. Of the 362 patients, 265 (73.2%) stayed in the hospital for more than 7 days. The factors associated with prolonged hospitalization were frailty (OR, 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-4.10; p = 0.027), the occurrence of indoor (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.58-6.46; p = 0.001), alcohol intoxication (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05-0.56; p = 0.004), pH (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.76; p = 0.029), potassium level (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00-1.85; p = 0.048), and DIC score (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13-2.10; p = 0.006). Conclusions: Frailty, indoor situation, alcohol intoxication, pH, potassium level, and DIC score were factors contributing to prolonged hospitalization in patients with AH. These factors can be valuable for the early detection of AH requiring a prolonged hospital stay.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Yadollahi ◽  
Sarina Sahmeddini

Objective: The purpose of the current study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of maxillofacial trauma. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of maxillofacial trauma cases treated in the referral trauma center of south of Iran. Data of 264 patients were extracted from patients’ records and analyzed. Data included patient’s demographics, injury mechanism, types of maxillofacial injuries, Injury Severity Score (ISS), associated injuries, length of hospital stay and outcome. Binary logistic regression by backward method was applied to determine the effects of independent variables on mortality odds ratio. Results: 85.23% of patients were males and of all patients 87.5% survived. The mean of age was 34.95 ± 16.51. The commonest cause of maxillofacial injury was road traffic accidents (86.31%). The median of ISS was 20.39± 10.24 and patients aged 30-39 years had the highest ISS. Overall, the most common maxillofacial injuries were orbital (59.47%, n=157) followed by maxillary (48.11%, n=127); common associated injuries were related to head (81.44%, n=215) followed by thorax (58.33%, n=154). Age and gender (being male) increased the odds ratio of mortality. An increase in ISS decreased the odds ratio of mortality, but it was not significant. Conclusion: Most of maxillofacial trauma patients suffered from orbital injuries and there were a huge percentage of associated injuries. Gender (male), age and length of hospital stay were the significant variables of mortality in maxillofacial patients. The findings of the current study sheds light on further investigation to treat these patients and enforce road traffic legislation and public education to prevent these traumas.


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