K. Hanna1, M. Zeeshan1, T. O’Keeffe1, N. Kulvatunyou1, A. Tang1, E. Zakaria1, L. Gries1, A. Northcutt1, B. Joseph1 1University Of Arizona,Trauma And Acute Care Surgery,Tucson, AZ, USA
Introduction:
Alcohol consumption is associated with a decrease in coagulation factors. The relationship between chronic alcoholism and occurrence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in trauma patients in unknown. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between chronic alcohol consumption and risk of VTE in trauma patients.
Methods:
We performed a two-year (2013-14) analysis of all patients in the TQIP. All trauma patients with ISS>16 were included. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication, hematological disorders, and cancer were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and were matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score matching for demographics, injury severity, injury location, and admission vitals. Outcomes measures were the prevalence of VTE (DVT and PE) in each group.
Results:
A total of 91,066 trauma patients were included in our analysis of which 35,460 patients (alcoholics: 17,730, non-alcoholics: 17,730) were matched. Mean age 45±18y, and 81% were males. Matched groups were similar in age (p=0.32), HR (p=0.31), SBP (p=0.46), location of injury (p=0.85), ISS (p=0.76) and GCS (p=0.38). Prevalence of DVT was lower in alcoholics compared non-alcoholics (2.34% vs. 5.12%, p=0.01). Overall Incidence of PE was 1.2% and there was no difference between the two groups (1.1% vs.1.3%, p=0.22). Similarly, there was no difference in mortality (14.8% vs 15.4%, p=0.32) between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with a low risk of DVT in trauma patients. This association warrants further investigation of the possible physiological effects of alcohol in trauma patients.