Utility of a composite measure to detect problematic alcohol use in persons with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES

To examine factors complicating the study of alcohol-related effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to evaluate a composite measure to categorize such patients according to degree of alcohol-related problems.

DESIGN

Inception cohort.

SETTING

Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS: Consecutively hospitalized adult TBI patients (n = 156; 73% men; 87% Caucasian; mean age, 30yr; mean education, 12yr). Selection criteria required objective evidence of brain trauma; minimum survival of 1 month postinjury; age 15 years or older; and English speaking.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An index of problematic drinking based on a measure created by combining blood-alcohol level, quantity-frequency of consumption, and the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Preinjury characteristics were obtained through structured interview.

RESULTS

Participants with highly problematic drinking showed poorer premorbid psychosocial functioning, including lower educational attainment, greater likelihood of problems with the law, lower perceived social support, and greater prevalence of other substance abuse.

CONCLUSION

The composite index is useful in identifying problematic drinkers among TBI patients. Results have implications for interpreting and planning research on the role of alcohol in TBI outcomes.