Study of Patient Outcomes After Alcohol Intervention in Hospitalized Adults Aged 21 and Older

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates patient outcomes related to alcohol consumption, particularly focusing on older adults admitted to hospitals for alcohol-related problems. The study explores how risky or harmful alcohol use affects health, considering that older adults face increased risks due to physiological changes, medical conditions, and medications. It evaluates patient trajectories three years before and after hospital admissions where brief alcohol interventions are provided, aiming to better understand patient characteristics and the impact of these interventions. The study is observational and involves multiple medical and surgical hospitals in Norway. It includes patients aged 21 and older who receive brief alcohol interventions as part of routine hospital care. Different hospitals use various strategies for identifying and addressing alcohol problems, which are not controlled by the study. Patients are grouped by age brackets from 21 to over 81 years. Data from national registries covering health care, prescriptions, trauma, social welfare, and mortality are collected both retrospectively and prospectively over a six-year period centered on the hospital admission. Participants health and social data are collected through linkage of personal identification numbers to national registries. Baseline alcohol use is measured using AUDIT C and related questions. The study monitors outcomes such as alcohol use disorders, prescriptions for alcohol-related treatments, health care usage, trauma incidents, and deaths over three years. This comprehensive approach aims to provide insights into the long-term effects of brief alcohol interventions following hospital stays.

Patient Trajectories for Older Adults Admitted to Hospital for Alcohol-related Problems