title: Patterns of alcohol use 1 year after traumatic brain injury: a population-based, epidemiological study.
abstract: This study delineated patterns of alcohol use 1 year after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a large, population-based, epidemiological, nonclinical sample, and identified predictors of heavy alcohol use in these individuals. Participants were 1,606 adults identified by review of a South Carolina statewide hospital discharge data set, on the basis of satisfying the Centers for Disease Control case definition of TBI, and were interviewed by telephone 1 year after TBI-related discharge. Alcohol use in the month prior to interview was classified according to categories from the Quantity-Frequency-Variability Index; heavy drinking was defined as nearly daily use with > or = 5 drinks at least occasionally, or at least three occasions with > or = 5 drinks. A polychotomous logistic regression with 3 response levels (heavy, moderate, and abstinent/infrequent/light drinking) was used to identify predictors of heavy drinking. Heavy drinking in the month prior to interview was reported by 15.4% of participants, while 14.3% reported moderate drinking and 70.3% reported abstinence or light/infrequent drinking. Risk factors for heavy drinking included male gender, younger age, history of substance abuse prior to TBI, diagnosis of depression since TBI, fair/moderate mental health, and better physical functioning. There was no association between drinking patterns and TBI severity.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401-5799, USA. hornermd@musc.edu
authors.forename: Michael David
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Anbesaw W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Selassie
authors.forename: Lawrence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Labbate
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kniele
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Corrigan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance