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. 1995 Oct;64(2):157–163.

Alcohol intake in patients admitted acutely to a general medical unit.

J A McKnight 1, D R McCance 1, F T Lundy 1, G B Widsom 1, J R Hayes 1
PMCID: PMC2448533  PMID: 8533182

Abstract

The role of alcohol in causing acute medical admissions is recognised but not well quantified. Using a questionnaire we have studied prospectively alcohol intake in patients aged 18-60 years admitted to a medical unit and have analysed the contribution of alcohol to their admission. One hundred and six patients (61 male: 45 female) who fulfilled our preset age criteria were studied. Alcohol intake (mean +/- SEM) was 9 +/- 1 and 12 +/- 1 units on average and heavy drinking days respectively, and 38 +/- 6 units during their last drinking week. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was > 60 U/l (upper limit of normal) in 29 (n = 92). Eighteen (30%) men had drunk > 50 units and seven (16%) women had taken > 35 units in their last drinking week. In 25 (41%) men and 11 (24%) women alcohol intake was felt to contribute to their admission. In this subgroup, intake was 15 +/- 2 and 20 +/- 1 units on average and heavy drinking days respectively, and 87 +/- 13 units in the last drinking week. GGT was available in 29 and was abnormal in 18. Admission diagnoses were drug overdose (n = 16), alcohol withdrawal symptoms (n = 7), liver disease (n = 6), haematemesis (n = 14) and others (n = 3). Fifteen (42%) felt they had a definite alcohol problem. The use and abuse of alcohol contributes significantly to the general medical workload in the age group studied.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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