Abstract |
A retrospective archival study of 129 moderate to severe closed head-injury patients from a university-based rehabilitation hospital was conducted to investigate the effect of blood alcohol level (BAL) at time of trauma on the length of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), length of hospitalization and cognitive status on clearing PTA. While no statistical significance was obtained for the effect of BAL on length of PTA, a mean difference of 15.4 days between 'no alcohol' and 'intoxicated' patient groups was observed. A low, but significant correlation, r = 0.249, p less than 0.05, indicated that as blood alcohol level increased, time to rehabilitation admission increased. The sex of the patient had a significant effect on length of PTA, BAL and time of recovery variable F (6,81) = 2.468, p less than 0.05. Females experienced longer length of PTA, but had lower BALs than males. Measures of cognitive status on clearing PTA did not show a statistically significant effect of BAL. Results are discussed in terms of mediating variables in the relationship between BAL and the length of acute hospitalization, prolonged PTA in patients with a positive BAL, and potential physiological bases for the interaction among sex, BAL and PTA duration.
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Authors | C P Kaplan, J D Corrigan |
Journal | Brain injury
(Brain Inj)
1992 Jul-Aug
Vol. 6
Issue 4
Pg. 337-49
ISSN: 0269-9052 [Print] England |
PMID | 1638267
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Alcohol Amnestic Disorder
(physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
- Alcoholism
(physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
- Ethanol
(pharmacokinetics)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Head Injuries, Closed
(physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
- Humans
- Length of Stay
- Male
- Neurologic Examination
(drug effects)
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Psychomotor Agitation
(physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Retrospective Studies
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