title: A retrospective analysis of ethnic and gender differences in alcohol consumption among emergency department patients: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies of alcohol use have recognized several trends in consumption patterns among gender and age yet few have examined ethnic differences. This study examines the intra- and inter-ethnic differences in alcohol consumption among a population of patients seen in the emergency department.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the emergency department in a large urban setting. Information on drinking behavior and ethnicity was collected using the Computerized Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (CASI) tool. We explored differences in drinking patterns using a multivariate multinomial logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed the drinking habits of 2,444 patients surveyed between November 2012 and May 2014. The results indicate that when compared to non-Hispanic whites, Asians have the lowest odds of drinking within normal limits or excessively, followed by other Latinos, and Mexicans. Age and gender consistently showed statistically significant associations with alcohol-use. The odds of drinking within normal limits or excessively are inversely associated with age and were lower among females. The predicted probabilities show a marked gender-specific difference in alcohol use both between and within ethnic/racial groups. They also highlight an age-related convergence in alcohol use between men and women within ethnic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show intra-racial/ethnic variability associated with sex and education. The highlighted differences within and between ethnic groups reinforce the need to use refined categories when examining alcohol use among minorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study confirm some alcohol consumption trends among ethnic minorities observed in literature. It provides empirical evidence of the marked gender differences and highlights an age-related convergence for gender-specific alcohol use. Health-care personnel should be aware of these differences when screening and counseling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. shl@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lotfipour
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. vcisnero@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cisneros
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. uogbu@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Uzor C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Ogbu
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. cmccoy@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher Eric
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Orange, Orange, CA, USA. cbarrios@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Cristobal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barrios
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. clanders@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Craig L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. whoonpon@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Wirachin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hoonpongsimanont
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. kalix@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alix
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Health Affairs, Irvine, 333 The City Blvd West, Suit 640, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. bchakrav@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Bharath
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chakravarthy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult