@article{ref1,
title="Course and outcome of patients with alcohol use disorders following an alcohol intervention during hospital attendance: mixed method study",
journal="BJPsych open",
year="2020",
author="Chambers, Sophia E. and Baldwin, David S. and Sinclair, Julia M. A.",
volume="7",
number="1",
pages="e6-e6",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related presentations to acute hospitals in the UK are  increasing, but little is known of the clinical characteristics or natural history  of this patient group. AIMS: To describe the clinical characteristics, drinking  profile and trajectory of a cohort of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD)  attending hospital, and explore participant perspectives of the impact of hospital  attendance on their relationship with alcohol. <br><br>METHOD: We conducted a mixed method,  prospective, observational cohort study of patients with AUD seen in an acute  hospital. Participants were interviewed with a range of questionnaires at baseline  and followed up on at 6 months. A subsample also completed in-depth qualitative  interviews. <br><br>RESULTS: We recruited 141 patients; 132 (93.6%) were followed up at 6  months and 26 completed qualitative interviews. Of the 141 patients, 60 (42.6%)  stated the index hospital episode included the first discussion of their alcohol use  in a secondary care setting. Most rated discussion of their alcohol use in hospital  as 'very positive' or 'positive' (102/141, 72.3%), but lack of coordinated care with  community services undermined efforts to sustain change. At 6 months, 11 (7.8%)  patients had died, but in those who survived and completed assessment (n = 121),  significant and clinically meaningful improvements were seen across a range of  outcomes, with 55 patients (45.5%) showing a favourable drinking outcome at 6  months. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AUD have high levels of morbidity and mortality,  yet many made substantial changes following intervention in hospital for their  alcohol use. Prospective trials need to identify the effect of alcohol care teams in  optimising this 'teachable moment' for patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2056-4724",
doi="10.1192/bjo.2020.138",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2020.138"
}