Intoxicated Trauma Patients Have a Higher Survival Rate

Trauma patients who were intoxicated before their injuries were more likely to survive than trauma than patients who suffered similar injuries but were sober at the time, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (CA, USA) surveyed 7,985 trauma patients of similar age and with similar injuries to determine if the consumption of alcohol prior to injury affected outcome. The researchers found that 645 (8%) of the patients had a positive blood alcohol level (BAL), and that these patients also had a lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) (8 versus 11), lower rate of penetrating injury (9% versus 25%), and were older (38 compared to 32 years). The researchers found that overall there were 559 deaths (7%); 1% mortality in positive BAL patients and 7% in sober patients. There were 352 (4.4%) complications, with similar rates among sober and intoxicated patients. On univariate analysis, a positive BAL was inversely associated with death, as was blunt trauma, whereas older age and increased ISS were associated with death. On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, ISS, and mechanism of injury, a positive BAL remained protective against death, as did blunt trauma; age and increased ISS were associated with mortality. The study was published in the October 2009 edition of the American Surgeon.

"This study is not encouraging the use of alcohol,” said lead author Christian de Virgilio, M.D. "It is seeking to further explore earlier studies that had found alcohol may improve the body's response to severe injuries. If alcohol is proven to improve the body's response to traumatic injury, it could lead to treatments that help patients survive and recover more quickly.”

"This study adds further support to the possibility that alcohol could be altering the body's response to injury in a way that helps ensure survival,” added Dr. de Virgilio. "Given these findings, more research is needed to determine if there is some role for alcohol in the management of trauma patients.”

Alcohol consumption is already known to be one of the leading causes of accident and injury, with a previous study finding it contributes to about one-third of all trauma-related deaths. Previous studies found trauma patients who had abused alcohol for a long time had lower survival rates; however, other recent studies have also found that alcohol consumption may protect against death by changing the chemical response to injury.

Related Links:
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute