Alcohol intake in patients admitted acutely to a general medical unit.
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.
McKnight
J A
JA
Metabolic Unit, Western General Hospitals NHS Trust, Edinburgh.
McCance
D R
DR
Lundy
F T
FT
Widsom
G B
GB
Hayes
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase