ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE-ABUSE - RETROSPECTI VE ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE, 1993-1994

This retrospective study analyzes and compares the incidence of admiss ions for alcohol and drug (i.e.: heroin and cocaine) induced diseases to the internal medicine service of Locarno Regional Hospital (61 beds plus intensive care unit) between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 19 94. Of 4038 admissions, 298 (7.4%) were related to alcoholism and drug addiction. 4.2% of all hospital days were due to alcohol abuse, where as 3.2% were related to drug abuse (of these, 1.8% were for HIV-associ ated diseases and 0.9% for withdrawal treatment). The male/female rati o was 3:1 in both groups, the average age of women being significantly lower in the alcoholic group (50.5 +/- 14.4 years vs. 58.1 +/- 12.9; p = 0.003). Over 90% of the patients with alcohol-induced conditions c ontinued to consume alcohol. On the contrary, only 16% of the HIV-posi tive patients were still drug-addicted. The in-hospital mortality was 6% (5% in the alcoholic group; 1.6% and 12%, respectively, in the HIV- negative and HIV-positive groups of drug addicts). This study confirms the high prevalence of diseases related to alcohol and drug abuse. Wo men are less affected, but show complications of alcohol abuse earlier . Despite the HIV epidemic in our area, the admissions of alcoholics t o the hospital are more frequent than those of drug addicts. Most of t he drug addicts with an HIV-associated condition are in remission, whe reas alcoholics with alcohol-induced diseases continue, for the most p art, to be alcohol-dependent.