Association of self-reported injury and alcohol consumption in medical outpatients

Objective:This study was designed to examine the association between minor injury and level of alcohol consumption among adult outpatients. Design:Self-administered survey of alcohol use and level of injury in prior month. Setting:Adult outpatients attending a university-based general internal medicine private practice. Patients/participants:During a four-month period, 1,011 patients aged 18-65 years were asked to complete questionnaires while waiting to see a physician. The 791 who completed all forms appropriately are included in this study. Intervention:None. Measurements and main results:The total number of drinks and the total number of injuries reported during the preceding month were calculated. Nondrinkers reported an average of 0.51 (SD=1.18) injuries in the prior month; and drinkers, 0.92 (SD=1.70) injuries. Minor injuries were reported more frequently by beavier alcohol consumers only among younger patients (RR=1.88). There was no association between reported injury and alcohol consumption among patients over 50 years of age (RR=0.90). Conclusions:Minor injury is associated with beavier alcohol consumption in younger patients attending a general medical practice, but not among older patients. Further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between alcohol drinking and minor injury.