Maxillofacial trauma and the role of alcohol.
Interpersonal violence is often associated with alcohol misuse. Most injuries that result from interpersonal violence affect the face, and maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for their treatment. Consequently maxillofacial surgeons are well placed to audit and help multi-agency task groups to address this social problem. An audit was undertaken of two years' emergency referrals within the Merseyside region to assess the association of maxillofacial trauma and alcohol. The age and sex distribution were assessed together with the cause and place where the injury occurred. Results show an involvement of alcohol with interpersonal violence of 72%, which is the highest published association. We also analysed the type of injury and the place where each injury occurred, and the association with alcohol in each circumstance. In an attempt to identify alcohol misuse, an Alcohol use Disorders Identification Test questionnaire (AUDIT) was used to offer a brief intervention to educate and modify hazardous, harmful, or dependent alcoholic behaviour.
Laverick
S
S
Regional Maxillofacial Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, United Kingdom. slaverick@nhs.net
Patel
N
N
Jones
D C
DC
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D019230:Dental Audit; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult