Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Risk Factors for Non-recording of Alcohol Use in Hospitals across Europe: The ALCHIMIE Study.

Aim: To determine the detection rates, clinical features, and risk factors for lack of registration of alcohol use in medical patients admitted in European hospitals.

Methods: A point-prevalence, cross-sectional, multicenter survey involving 2100 medical inpatients from 43 hospitals from 8 European countries. Patients were screened for current alcohol use, using standardized questionnaires.

Temporal and spatial patterns in the rate of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a defined community.

There is a paucity of data about the epidemiology of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and, particularly, with regard to temporal trends and sociodemographic factors. This study included 7,195 episodes of AWS in a defined community (Galicia, Spain) over a 11-year period. We looked for geographical correlations between AWS rate and sociodemographic factors (education and socioeconomic levels and rates of occupational activity and unemployment) within respective districts.

Prevalence and routine assessment of unhealthy alcohol use in hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of alcohol misuse among medical inpatients and the methods used by medical staff to evaluate alcohol consumption.

Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study performed at 21 hospitals in Spain. All adult patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards on 12 March 2008 were eligible for study.