The purpose of the prospective study presented in this scientific poster was to identify the frequency of alcohol and drug use among the full range of injury of non-occupant motor vehicle crash (NOMVC) victims aged 18 years or older, and to determine the relationship of alcohol and other drug use to injury and crash characteristics of these victims. This study was conducted at two emergency departments: a university hospital and a university affiliated community hospital. Nineteen hundred and fifty-one patients entered the sample frame, 118 (6%) of whom were NOMVC victims. Complete data regarding alcohol and other drug testing were recorded on 92 (78%) of these patients, and the Diagnostic Interview Survey (DlS) was completed on 101 (85.6%). Forty-four percent were bicyclists and 56% were pedestrians. The mean age of these victims was 36 years, and 61% were males. The majority of NOMVC victims (73%) had minor injuries (Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAlS) equal to or less than 3). Although the numbers are small, the results suggest that when the full range of injury was analysed for NOMVC victims, a substantial number tested positive for alcohol and/or other drugs and had a current alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence (AA/AD) diagnosis. NOMVC victims who consumed alcohol, either alone or with other drugs, had higher injury scores than those who did not.
Abstract