Association of self-reported injury and alcohol consumption in medical outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to examine the association between minor injury and level of alcohol consumption among adult outpatients.


METHODS
Self-administered survey of alcohol use and level of injury in prior month.


METHODS
Adult outpatients attending a university-based general internal medicine private practice.


METHODS
During a four-month period, 1,011 patients aged 18-65 years were asked to complete questionnaires while waiting to see a physician. The 791 who completed all forms appropriately are included in this study.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
The total number of drinks and the total number of injuries reported during the preceding month were calculated. Nondrinkers reported an average of 0.51 (SD = 1.18) injuries in the prior month; and drinkers, 0.92 (SD = 1.70) injuries. Minor injuries were reported more frequently by heavier alcohol consumers only among younger patients (RR = 1.88). There was no association between reported injury and alcohol consumption among patients over 50 years of age (RR = 0.90).


CONCLUSIONS
Minor injury is associated with heavier alcohol consumption in younger patients attending a general medical practice, but not among older patients. Further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between alcohol drinking and minor injury.
Burger
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-5305.
Lichtenstein
M J
MJ
Hays
J T
JT
Decker
M D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*