[Alcoholism in the general hospital: detection and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol is an important factor in hospital admissions. Few publications have studied how alcoholics are handled in hospitals.


METHODS
All inpatient referrals (IPC) to our Alcohol Unit (n=212) during 12 months were analyzed.


RESULTS
Four departments accounted for 80% of IPC, which represented 3% of all admissions in these departments. 72% of patients showed important psycho-social problems, 46% had had previous admissions to the hospital, and 21% had been visited by the Alcohol Unit earlier. Treatment was not offered at discharge to 20% of patients because of their severe psycho-social or physical deterioration. 17% of patients refused treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcoholism in inpatients is underdiagnosed. Only the most severe cases are detected. Those who might benefit the most are often undiagnosed.
Monras
Miquel
M
Unidad de Alcohología, Instituto de Psiquiatría y Psicología, Hospital Clínico, Barcelona, España. mmonras@clinic.ub.es
Ortega
Lluisa
L
Mondon
Silvia
S
Gual
Antoni
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012727:Sex Characteristics