Drinking Patterns and Problems Associated with Injury Status in Emergency Room Admissions

Abstract

A study of emergency room admissions at San Francisco General Hospital was undertaken to analyze the association of drinking patterns and problems with injury status. A 20% probability sample of patients admitted to the emergency room around-the-clock over a 60-day period was interviewed. Interviews were completed on 75% of those sampled (N = 1896). Of these, 29% (N = 555) were admitted to the emergency room for injuries, with drinkers more likely than abstainers to be admitted for injuries. Differences were found in the quantity and frequency of usual drinking and frequency of drunkenness for type and cause of injury and for prior alcohol-related accidents. Little difference was found between the injured and non-injured on social consequences of drinking or experiences associated with alcohol dependence and loss of control over drinking. Both injured and noninjured in this population reported much higher rates of frequent heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems than that found in the general population which may have masked additional associations of drinking patterns and problems with injury status.