Epidemiology of hospitalization due to alcohol-related harm: Evidence from a Scottish cohort study

Lawder, R., Grant, I., Storey, C., Walsh, D. , Whyte, B. and Hanlon, P. (2011) Epidemiology of hospitalization due to alcohol-related harm: Evidence from a Scottish cohort study. Public Health, 125(8), pp. 533-539. (doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2011.05.007) (PMID:21794884)

Abstract

Objective: To examine a broad range of risk factors and their association with alcohol-related hospital admissions in a Scottish general population. Design: Observational record-linkage study in Scotland from 1998 to 2008 involving 8305 respondents aged 16–74 years who participated in the 1998 Scottish Health Survey. Outcome was defined as first-time hospital admission with at least one alcohol-related diagnosis. Methods: Cox proportional hazards modelling was applied to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of first-time hospitalization with an alcohol-related condition associated with a range of behavioural, social and biological risk factors. Findings: In total, 287 (3.4%) respondents experienced at least one alcohol-related hospitalization during the observation period. Moderate to excessive drinking was the strongest predictor of subsequent admission to hospital with an alcohol-related diagnosis, with clear evidence of a dose – response relationship. Moderate and heavy smoking were also significant predictors of subsequent admission to hospital with an alcohol-related problem. Social factors – such as being in receipt of income-related benefits [HR 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–2.28]; being retired or economically inactive; and being separated, divorced or widowed (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.70–3.22) – were also significant predictors of alcohol-related hospitalization. Conclusions: Moderate and higher levels of weekly alcohol consumption, moderate to heavy smoking, economic circumstances and marital status are the main risk factors for alcohol-related hospitalization in the Scottish population. These findings add to the evidence that population-based strategies are needed to limit alcohol-related morbidity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hanlon, Professor Phil and Whyte, Mr Bruce and Walsh, Dr David
• Authors: Lawder, R., Grant, I., Storey, C., Walsh, D., Whyte, B., and Hanlon, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Public Health
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0033-3506
• ISSN (Online): 1476-5616
• Published Online: 26 July 2011