We Need Designated Pedestrians? A Viewpoint
We Need Designated Pedestrians? A Viewpoint
Plurad D, Demetriades D, Gruzinski G, et al
J Am Coll Surg. 2006;202:919-927
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of alcohol on severity, injury site, and early outcome after injury to pedestrians or bicyclists by motor vehicles. Study subjects included 1042 patients > 10 years of age hospitalized in the Los Angeles, California, area. Blood alcohol (BAC) levels were measured in 87% of patients. Elevated BACs were more common in middle-aged subjects (P ≤ .0001) and in males (P ≤ .0001), but BAC levels were not related to injury severity or the anatomic location of injury (head, chest, abdomen, or extremity). Neither mortality rate nor intensive care unit length of stay was associated with BAC level, but increased BAC levels were associated with overall hospital complications and overall hospital length of stay.
Overall, 42% of patients had evidence of alcohol consumption prior to the injury, with 34% having BAC levels ≥ 0.08. From this study, we learn that pedestrians and bicyclists are about as likely to have been drinking as motor vehicle drivers who have sustained a crash-related injury. The presence of alcohol was not associated with injury severity, site of injury, or hospital mortality rate, but elevated BAC levels did seem to increase the complication rate and length of stay.
Abstract
Plurad D, Demetriades D, Gruzinski G, et al
J Am Coll Surg. 2006;202:919-927
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of alcohol on severity, injury site, and early outcome after injury to pedestrians or bicyclists by motor vehicles. Study subjects included 1042 patients > 10 years of age hospitalized in the Los Angeles, California, area. Blood alcohol (BAC) levels were measured in 87% of patients. Elevated BACs were more common in middle-aged subjects (P ≤ .0001) and in males (P ≤ .0001), but BAC levels were not related to injury severity or the anatomic location of injury (head, chest, abdomen, or extremity). Neither mortality rate nor intensive care unit length of stay was associated with BAC level, but increased BAC levels were associated with overall hospital complications and overall hospital length of stay.
Overall, 42% of patients had evidence of alcohol consumption prior to the injury, with 34% having BAC levels ≥ 0.08. From this study, we learn that pedestrians and bicyclists are about as likely to have been drinking as motor vehicle drivers who have sustained a crash-related injury. The presence of alcohol was not associated with injury severity, site of injury, or hospital mortality rate, but elevated BAC levels did seem to increase the complication rate and length of stay.
Abstract
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