Serious health consequences associated with alcohol use among college students: demographic and clinical characteristics of patients seen in an emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Heavy episodic alcohol use has been associated with numerous consequences among college students. However, neither the incidence nor the demographic and clinical characteristics of serious health consequences have been clearly defined in this population. This study is conducted to better understand clinical outcomes associated with alcohol use in college students.
METHOD: In a prospective observational study, medical records of students presenting to a large university medical center emergency department were examined. Demographic and clinical features of alcohol-related visits were gathered on patients who were enrolled as undergraduates at a 4-year public institution during 2 academic years from July 2000 through June 2002. Enrollment was approximately 12,500 undergraduates per year.
RESULTS: Of all emergency visits, 13% were alcohol related; and of all undergraduate students, 0.7% presented with alcohol-related medical conditions each year. Injuries accounted for 53% of all visits, and acute intoxication accounted for 34%. Nine of 185 patients were hospitalized. Men aged 21 years and older had the highest odds of visiting the emergency department. Trauma occurred more frequently among men, students > 18 years of age and white students. Accidents (84%) and fights (16%) were the sources of injuries. Acute intoxication occurred more frequently among women, students < or = 18 years of age and nonwhite students.
CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use contributes to a small yet significant proportion of emergency room visits for college students. Distinctive subgroups of college students, including legal-age drinkers, experience patterns of serious health consequences as a result of problem use of alcohol.