[Blood alcohol content prevalence among trauma patients seen at a level 1 trauma center].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of blood alcohol content (BAC) among patients seen at a level 1 trauma center.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out and patients were randomly selected at the emergency room of a level I trauma center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, throughout a year (August 1998 to August 1999). Blood samples were drawn and data was collected using an adapted version of a questionnaire developed by the Medical Research Institute of San Francisco - Alcohol Research Group.


RESULTS
A population sample of 464 patients was analyzed. Most of them were males (73.7%) and the median age was 29 years old. Positive BAC was found in 28.9% of the cases (CI95% 24.8 - 33.2) and in 84.3% BAC was =0.10%. Type of injury, gender, age group, marital status and outcome showed statistically significant associations with BAC with the highest BAC prevalence observed among assault victims (46.2%), males (33.9%), 25 to 44 years old (37.6%), singles (33.0%), and patients admitted in the hospital (41.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results reinforce the relationship of alcohol and trauma. Preventive actions at different levels focusing on higher risk groups for alcohol-related injuries should be considered as part of prevention programs to both reduce injuries and curb recurrent events.
Gazal-Carvalho
Cynthia
C
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. gazalcarvalho@bol.com.br
Carlini-Cotrim
Beatriz
B
Silva
Ovandir Alves
OA
Sauaia
Naim
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014505:Urban Population; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol