Background A well-established causal relationship exists between alcohol consumption in a population and the frequency of accidents. Since 1975 the German Federal Statistical Office has systematically recorded data on traffic accidents involving personal injuries as reported by the police: however, these data are likely to underestimate the true burden due to incomplete testing of blood ethanol levels among the individuals involved. Emergency department-based studies provide a more accurate framework for investigating alcohol-related accidents and injuries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol intoxication among consecutive patients admitted to the trauma room of a tertiary care university hospital. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted, including all patients aged 14 years and older admitted to the trauma room of a level I trauma center in Bavaria between January 2021 and December 2024. Parameters assessed included blood ethanol concentrations, mechanisms of injury, injury severity quantified by the injury severity score (ISS) and fatal outcomes. Results The study cohort comprised 1780 trauma patients. The leading mechanism of injury was traffic accidents (58.7%), followed by stair-related falls (8.3%) and falls from a height (8.2%). Ethanol was detected in the blood in 16.1% of patients, with an average gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT) activity of 75.1 U/l in alcohol intoxicated patients. Temporal patterns revealed a higher incidence of alcohol intoxication during late evening and early morning hours and on weekends. Accidents were most frequently reported between 12:00h and 20:00h, with 10% of patients presenting with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding ≥ 0.2 ‰. Notably, 43.8% of patients admitted between 00:00h and 04:00h tested positive for ethanol, with a mean blood alcohol concentration of 1.55 ‰. Discussion Alcohol consumption is still a decisive risk factor for accidents, injuries and mortality. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of alcohol in severe trauma cases, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted public health strategies. Enhanced preventive measures, public education and stricter regulations are critical to mitigate the risks associated with alcohol-related accidents and reduce the societal impact.

Alkohol und Trauma

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2025年6月18日

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Josina Straub,
Julia Elisabeth Lenz,
Markus Zimmermann,
Manuela Malsy

摘要

Background

A well-established causal relationship exists between alcohol consumption in a population and the frequency of accidents. Since 1975 the German Federal Statistical Office has systematically recorded data on traffic accidents involving personal injuries as reported by the police: however, these data are likely to underestimate the true burden due to incomplete testing of blood ethanol levels among the individuals involved. Emergency department-based studies provide a more accurate framework for investigating alcohol-related accidents and injuries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol intoxication among consecutive patients admitted to the trauma room of a tertiary care university hospital.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted, including all patients aged 14 years and older admitted to the trauma room of a level I trauma center in Bavaria between January 2021 and December 2024. Parameters assessed included blood ethanol concentrations, mechanisms of injury, injury severity quantified by the injury severity score (ISS) and fatal outcomes.

Results

The study cohort comprised 1780 trauma patients. The leading mechanism of injury was traffic accidents (58.7%), followed by stair-related falls (8.3%) and falls from a height (8.2%). Ethanol was detected in the blood in 16.1% of patients, with an average gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT) activity of 75.1 U/l in alcohol intoxicated patients. Temporal patterns revealed a higher incidence of alcohol intoxication during late evening and early morning hours and on weekends. Accidents were most frequently reported between 12:00h and 20:00h, with 10% of patients presenting with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding ≥ 0.2 ‰. Notably, 43.8% of patients admitted between 00:00h and 04:00h tested positive for ethanol, with a mean blood alcohol concentration of 1.55 ‰.

Discussion

Alcohol consumption is still a decisive risk factor for accidents, injuries and mortality. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of alcohol in severe trauma cases, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted public health strategies. Enhanced preventive measures, public education and stricter regulations are critical to mitigate the risks associated with alcohol-related accidents and reduce the societal impact.