[Acute alcoholic intoxication in hospital and drunk cell].
BACKGROUND
There are few epidemiological studies of the care for persons with acute ethanol intoxication. Most of them probable do not get into contact with neither the police nor the health care system.


METHODS
We have studied the files from Romerike Police District and from the Central Hospital of Akershus for the years 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2000, i.e. over a 12-year period.


RESULTS
Over these 12 years, the police took care of the vast majority of cases, 2,259 persons compared to the 293 that were admitted to hospital. From 1988 to 2000, there was a 40% reduction in the use of police custody and a 600% increase in the numbers admitted to hospital. Almost all hospital patients were aged 15 to 60 years. Those taken into custody were a slightly younger group; 45% were below 29. The age distribution remained constant throughout the period. Among those taken into custody, only 8% were women, compared to 37% among those hospitalized. There was a steady increase in hospitalized women from 1988 to 2000, especially in the below-20 age group.


CONCLUSIONS
A marked reduction in the use of police custody took place over this 12-year period. Hospitalization for ethanol intoxication remained constant in men, while there was a dramatic increase in the numbers of women admitted, especially of young women.
Aasebø
W
W
Medisinsk avdeling Sentralsykehuset i Akershus 1474 Nordbyhagen. waaseboe@online.no
Erikssen
J
J
Jonsbu
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D016495:Police; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence