Positive blood alcohol level in severe traumatic brain injury is associated with better long-term functional outcome.

Objective: To investigate the association between positive blood alcohol level (BAL) and functional outcome in patients suffering severe traumatic brain injury.

Study Design: The brain trauma registry of an academic trauma centre was queried for patients admitted between January 2007 and December 2011. All patients (≥ 18 years) with a neurosurgical intensive care length of stay beyond 2 days were included. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, injury profile, laboratory test and outcomes were abstracted for analysis. Primary outcome was unfavourable functional outcome defined as Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) ≤ 3. Multivariable regression models were used for analysis.

Results: Of the 352 patients, 39% were BAL (+) at admission. Patients with (+) BAL were significantly younger with less co-morbidities. The cohorts exhibited no significant difference in the severity of the intra-cranial injury and the use of intra-cranial monitoring or surgical interventions. Further, the groups presented no difference in in-hospital mortality (p = 0.1) or 1-year mortality (p = 0.5). There was a worse long-term functional outcome in (-) BAL patients compared to their BAL (+) counterparts after adjustment for confounders (GOS ≤ 3: AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.5, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Positive BAL on admission is associated with a better long-term functional outcome in patients suffering severe traumatic brain injury.