Morbidity and mortality and factors associated with death in hospitalized patients resulting from the impacts of alcohol and other drugs

Abstract

Objective To describe the hospitalizations resulting from the impacts of alcohol and other drug abuse and factors associated with death. Methods Cross-sectional, observational, and retrospective study, with secondary data from 3,562 admissions recorded at the Center for Information and Toxicological Assistance of a teaching hospital in northwest Paraná, using epidemiological surveillance of active search, from 2009 to 2018. Data were processed using univariate analysis (Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test). Results Most were males (89.6%), and the mean age was 43.62 years (±16 years). Most hospitalizations resulted from traumatic events and other external causes (52.1%) associated with the use/abuse of alcoholic beverages (85.8%). The mean length of hospital stay was 34.6 days, and 6.0% died. There was an association between risk of death and endocrine/metabolic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary diseases. Conclusion Hospitalizations with greater severity increase the incidence of deaths, and evidencing the associated factors directs interventions to decrease hospitalizations, reducing complications and deaths. Implications for practice The studies serve as a support for the development of prevention strategies, encouragement for improvement actions in the assistance network for users, strengthening and increasing public policies.