Acute Alcohol intoxication in Belgian adolescents: a retrospective hospital chart study

Abstract Background Binge drinking by adolescents in Belgium is an increasing problem, according to emergency physicians who have recently alerted society about the increasing numbers of adolescents admitted to hospital due to acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Until now, only estimations of the prevalence of AAI in adolescents are known and research about potential risk factors has not yet been conducted in Belgium. Methods To gain more insight into the prevalence, medical characteristics, and context of AAI, a retrospective study in hospitals in the city of Antwerp was conducted. Medical char... Mehr ...

Verfasser: van Roozendaal, HE
Van Hal, G
van der Lely, N
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2022
Reihe/Periodikum: European Journal of Public Health ; volume 32, issue Supplement_3 ; ISSN 1101-1262 1464-360X
Verlag/Hrsg.: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Schlagwörter: Public Health / Environmental and Occupational Health
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28504429
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.198

Abstract Background Binge drinking by adolescents in Belgium is an increasing problem, according to emergency physicians who have recently alerted society about the increasing numbers of adolescents admitted to hospital due to acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Until now, only estimations of the prevalence of AAI in adolescents are known and research about potential risk factors has not yet been conducted in Belgium. Methods To gain more insight into the prevalence, medical characteristics, and context of AAI, a retrospective study in hospitals in the city of Antwerp was conducted. Medical charts of 10 to 18-year-old patients admitted with AAI between 2015 and 2021 were investigated and analysed. Results Between 2016 and 2021, 547 adolescents with AAI were admitted to 5 of the 8 hospitals in Antwerp. In the University Hospital of Antwerp (n = 177) mean age at admittance was 15.9 years. Older patients had a significantly higher BAC than younger patients (U:2357, 1, p-value: <0.001). In 10% of the patients combined drug use was proven and in this group, BAC was significantly lower (U:209, 1, p-value: <0.001). 60% of the patients were transmitted to the hospital by ambulance and in 31% the ambulance was assisted by specialised medical care. In 18% of the cases, the police were involved. The results of the other hospitals are not yet known at the time of submission but will be presented at the EPH conference. Conclusions According to the data so far, younger patients and patients with comorbid drug use are admitted with a lower BAC, which could be seen as a potential risk factor. This should be considered in developing preventive measures like sensitization. Moreover, in a noteworthy percentage, ambulances, specialized care, and police are involved, which contributes to high medical and social costs. However, data addressing demographics and the context of AAI were mostly missing. Therefore, prospective research is required to further investigate potential risk factors for AAI. Key messages • A ...