Do alcohol use disorders impact on long term outcomes from intensive care?

McPeake, J. M. , Shaw, M., O’Neill, A., Forrest, E., Puxty, A., Quasim, T. and Kinsella, J. (2015) Do alcohol use disorders impact on long term outcomes from intensive care? Critical Care, 19, 185. (doi: 10.1186/s13054-015-0909-6) (PMID:25899245) (PMCID:PMC4440292)

Abstract

Introduction: There is limited evidence regarding the impact of alcohol use disorders on long term outcomes from intensive care. The aims of this study were to analyse the nature and complications of alcohol related admissions to intensive care and determine whether alcohol use disorders impact on survival at six months post ICU discharge.<p></p> Method: This was an 18 month prospective observational cohort study in a 20 bedded mixed ICU, in a large teaching hospital in Scotland. On admission patients were allocated to one of three alcohol groups: low risk, harmful/hazardous, or alcohol dependency.<p></p> Results: 34.4% of patients were admitted with an alcohol use disorder. Those with an alcohol related admission (either harmful/hazardous or alcohol dependent) had an increased odds of developing septic shock during their admission, compared with the low risk group (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.13-2.47, p = 0.01). After adjustment for all lifestyle factors which were significantly different between the groups, alcohol dependence was associated with more than a twofold increased odds of ICU mortality (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.2-4.69, p = 0.01) and hospital mortality (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.28-4.621, p = 0.004). After adjustment for deprivation category and age, alcohol dependence was associated with an almost two fold increased odds of mortality at six months post ICU discharge (HR 1.86; CI 1.30-2.70, p = 0.001).<p></p> Conclusion: Alcohol use disorders are a significant risk factor for the development of septic shock in intensive care. Further, alcohol dependency is independently associated with poorer long term outcomes from intensive care.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Quasim, Professor Tara and Kinsella, Professor John and Forrest, Dr Ewan and Shaw, Dr Martin and McPeake, Dr Jo
• Authors: McPeake, J. M., Shaw, M., O’Neill, A., Forrest, E., Puxty, A., Quasim, T., and Kinsella, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
• Journal Name: Critical Care
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1364-8535
• ISSN (Online): 1466-609X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 McPeake et al.
• First Published: First published in Critical Care 19:185
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License