J Korean Med Sci.  2011 Mar;26(3):431-437. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.3.431.

Characteristics of Alcohol-related Injuries in Adolescents Visiting the Emergency Department

• Noh H
• Jung KY
• Park HS
• Cheon YJ

• KMID: 2157883
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.3.431

Abstract

Alcohol is frequently a factor affecting emergency department patients, and alcohol consumption is more common among those who are injured. In Korea, the socioeconomic impact of alcohol has been enormous because of traditional permissive attitudes toward alcohol. Juvenile drinking has increased recently; consequently, an increase in alcohol-related injuries is likely in this population. Therefore, we compared the characteristics and severity of alcohol-related injuries in adolescents and adults. All injured patients seen at six EDs throughout 2007 were included. We obtained data from the 'Development of a model for an in-depth injury surveillance system based on the emergency department' surveillance. The proportion of adolescents who drank was 5.0%. No significant alcohol-related difference in injuries was found between male and female adolescents (P = 0.14), whereas in adults, being male was strongly related to alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). Among traffic accidents, motorcycle-related injuries were strongly associated with alcohol use in adolescents (odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-5.83). Results also indicated that alcohol-related injuries in adolescents showed poor outcomes (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.47-3.81) as compared with those in adults (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.26-1.59). Preventive strategy on alcohol-related injuries in adolescents should focus on reducing motorcycle accidents.

Keyword

Adolescent; Alcohols; Alcohol Drinking; Wounds and Injuries

MeSH Terms

*Accidents, Traffic
Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology
Alcohol-Related Disorders/*epidemiology
Alcoholic Intoxication/*epidemiology
*Emergency Medical Services
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motorcycles
Republic of Korea
Wounds and Injuries/*epidemiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Selection of patients.

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  Fig. 2 Age distribution of alcohol-related traffic accidents according to the type of vehicle.

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