Emergency department presentations of alcohol and other substance misuse: first cross-sectional national study in Qatar

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study attempts the first in a series of investigations into the misuse of alcohol and substances in Qatar. This study explores the emergency presentations of alcohol and substance abuse to all the state funded emergency departments (EDs) in the country which serve around 90% of the population over a 22-month period. Due to legal penalties for alcohol and substance use, and lack of subsidised community-based facilities, ED presentations are a good starting point to explore this burden.Design and participantsA retrospective population-based, cross-sectional study, analysing electronic patient records of all state funded EDs spanning a period of 22 months, from 1 January 2019 to 31 October 2020 was carried out. The study included all eligible individuals aged 18 or over. Primary reason/diagnosis for presentation containing any of the alcohol or substance use key words were included in the study using composite data capture forms by trained clinicians.ResultsAn overwhelming majority (95.5%) of the total 1495 cases presenting to the EDs with substance abuse were using alcohol. Only 2.1% of the cases were females. Those of Asian (non-Arab) constituted 70% of this group. Qatari citizens presented with highest proportion of substance abuse other than alcohol (23%). Overall, 2.26% of all presentations to the EDs were related to alcohol and substance abuse and this amounted to 3 ED visits per 10 000 of population per year. 56.6% of the cases presented over the weekend. Less than 1% were referred to psychiatry and no other meaningful rehabilitative interventions were offered to others.ConclusionAs Qatar moves towards establishing community-based rehabilitative resources for alcohol and substances abuse, the findings from this study will help in shaping these developments. These can include ED-based routine screening for alcohol abuse and referral to rehabilitation services without fear of legal penalties.

Evolution of policy for the treatment of substance use disorders in Qatar

“…More so, when the population is so varied and derived from diverse nationalities. A recently published study explored Emergency Department presentations of alcohol and substance abuse across Qatar [ 25 ]. It reported alcohol as the primary substance of abuse.…”

“…It reported alcohol as the primary substance of abuse. Interestingly, while alcohol was almost always the only substance of abuse among non-local Qataris, native Qataris had the highest proportion of complicated substance use with substances other than alcohol [ 25 ]. It will be data as such that will inform development of services with better access and coverage than what is currently available.…”

False Positive Tramadol Urine Testing in Patients Taking Fexofenadine: A Tale of Two Consecutive Cases

“…Because of rapid industrialization and economic growth, Qatar has seen a dramatic rise in population. The majority of SUD cases presenting to the emergency department were primarily alcohol-related followed by an array of other psychoactive substances ([ 3 ]). Comprehensive treatment packages are now available at addiction and rehabilitation centers across Qatar to help address rising rates of SUD.…”