Role of alcohol in urgent ambulance contacts in the Capital Region of Denmark: a 9-year population-based study across sex and age groups

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of accidents, and previous studies have shown that alcohol-related harm places a significant burden on emergency departments. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of ambulance contacts in the Capital Region of Denmark related to alcohol from 9 March 2015 to 30 April 2024, and to characterise these contacts, focusing on differences across sex and age groups.

METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study based on information from urgent ambulance contacts in the Capital Region of Denmark. The study population included patients aged 15 years and older. Alcohol-related ambulance contacts were identified using a two-step approach: an automated keyword search in prehospital medical records followed by manual verification. The main outcome measures were proportions and relative proportions (RPs) of ambulance contacts related to alcohol.

RESULTS: We estimated that 6.2% of all ambulance contacts in the Capital Region of Denmark were alcohol-related. The proportion was significantly higher in males compared with females (RP 2.03 (95% CI 1.92 to 2.14)). Alcohol-related contacts were most prevalent in those aged 15-24 years (17%), and least prevalent in those aged 70 years or older (1.9%). The proportion of ambulance contacts being alcohol-related was highest on Fridays (10%) and Saturdays (9.8%), peaking at night-time. The most common causes of alcohol-related contacts were accidents (38%) and acute alcohol intoxication (26%). We observed an age-related shift in the cause of contact, with the proportion of accidents increasing and the proportion of acute intoxication decreasing with advancing age.

CONCLUSIONS: 6.2% of urgent ambulance contacts in the Capital Region of Denmark were alcohol-related, with substantial variations across sex and age. This emphasises a need for targeted preventive measures reducing acute alcohol-related harms and consideration of targeted prehospital resources.