Health service use among Manitobans with alcohol use disorder: a population-based matched cohort study

Abstract

he high prevalence of alcohol consumption in Canada is a contributing risk factor for several chronic disease states. 1-3 According to recent estimates, more than three-quarters of Canadians consume alcohol regularly, with almost 1 in 5 surpassing the level of consumption that puts their health at elevated chronic risk. 4 Alcohol use disorder, a manifestation of at-risk alcohol consumption, is characterized by a pattern of alcohol drinking associated with substantial impairment or distress. 5 For 2012, Statistics Canada reported that the annual prevalence of alcohol use disorder was about 4.7% for men and 1.7% for women. 6 The total costs and harms attributable to alcohol use, including health-related costs, lost workplace productivity and criminal justice costs, are estimated to be nearly $15 billion and are higher for alcohol than for any other substance measured. 7 Many studies have linked alcohol use disorder to increased risk of chronic disease (including liver cirrhosis, cognitive impairment and cancer), impairment of interpersonal relationships and occupational functioning, injury, violence and suicide. 8-11 Despite the high degree of medical and psychosocial comorbidity associated with alcohol use disorder, relatively little is known about patterns of health service use in the general population of people with the disorder. Previous studies have examined hospital stays among "risky drinkers" who did not have a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, 12 have reported cross-sectional rates of emergency department visits related to alcohol use in small samples of people with diagnosis of the

Trends in alcohol‐attributable hospitalisations and emergency department visits by age, sex, drinking group and health condition in Ontario, Canada

“…In our study, we inferred drinking volumes of patients with alcohol‐attributable hospitalisations and ED visits based on population exposure to alcohol. We estimated that high‐volume drinkers accounted for 79% and 62% of alcohol‐attributable hospitalisations and ED visits, confirming findings from Canada [34] and Spain [35]. As such, a relatively small proportion of high‐risk drinkers (approximately 20% of drinkers in Ontario) [36] experienced a disproportionately high burden of alcohol‐attributable health‐care encounters.…”

Understanding Nurse Perceptions of Caring for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

“…The number of people affected by AUD is increasing, driven in part by the socioeconomic burden of the COVID-19 pandemic (Kim et al, 2020) and the increase in binge drinking in younger populations (Addolorato et al, 2018). Individuals with AUD typically experience frequent contact with the healthcare system, including prolonged hospital admissions (Bolton et al, 2020; Rehm & Barbosa, 2018).…”

Social determinants of alcohol-related traumatic injury in young adults: a scoping review protocol

“…Alcohol-related deaths have been referred to as a silent epidemic in Canada 1. In 2021, 3875 deaths related to alcohol use were recorded in Canada, an almost 18% increase since 2019 2.…”

“…In 2021, 3875 deaths related to alcohol use were recorded in Canada, an almost 18% increase since 2019 2. While the majority of Canadians drink alcohol regularly, nearly 25% exceed the level of consumption that puts their health at risk 1 3. Those diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder are more likely to be younger, from neighbourhoods of lower socioeconomical status and living in non-urban environments 4.…”

“…Those diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder are more likely to be younger, from neighbourhoods of lower socioeconomical status and living in non-urban environments 4. Risky or harmful drinking has a significant impact on both individuals and society including unemployment, motor-vehicle collisions (MVC), driving while intoxicated and violence 1 3. Extensive literature exists on the relationship between alcohol use and increased injury risk 5–8.…”