TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1995//
TI  - Alcohol intake in patients admitted acutely to a general medical unit
JO  - Ulster medical journal, THe
A1  - McKnight, John A.
A1  - McCance, D. R.
A1  - Lundy, F. T.
A1  - Widsom, G. B.
A1  - Hayes, J. R.
SP  - 157
EP  - 163
VL  - 64
IS  - 2
N2  - The role of alcohol in causing acute medical admissions is recognised but not well quantified. Using a questionnaire we have studied prospectively alcohol intake in patients aged 18-60 years admitted to a medical unit and have analysed the contribution of alcohol to their admission. One hundred and six patients (61 male: 45 female) who fulfilled our preset age criteria were studied. Alcohol intake (mean +/- SEM) was 9 +/- 1 and 12 +/- 1 units on average and heavy drinking days respectively, and 38 +/- 6 units during their last drinking week. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was > 60 U/l (upper limit of normal) in 29 (n = 92). Eighteen (30%) men had drunk > 50 units and seven (16%) women had taken > 35 units in their last drinking week. In 25 (41%) men and 11 (24%) women alcohol intake was felt to contribute to their admission. In this subgroup, intake was 15 +/- 2 and 20 +/- 1 units on average and heavy drinking days respectively, and 87 +/- 13 units in the last drinking week. GGT was available in 29 and was abnormal in 18. Admission diagnoses were drug overdose (n = 16), alcohol withdrawal symptoms (n = 7), liver disease (n = 6), haematemesis (n = 14) and others (n = 3). Fifteen (42%) felt they had a definite alcohol problem. The use and abuse of alcohol contributes significantly to the general medical workload in the age group studied.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0041-6193
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -