Which risk factors significantly influence the outcome of traumatic brain injured patients with alcohol use disorder?

Purpose Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide suffer a traumatic brain injury that leads to hospitalization or mortality. Chronic and acute alcohol intoxication increase the risk of developing traumatic brain injury. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a predictor of outcome in neurosurgical patients and the definition of risk factors have been sparsely addressed so far. This study aims to improve the understanding of the effects of alcohol use disorder in the context of neurosurgical therapy. Methods This study included patients admitted to Münster University Hospital with a traumatic brain injury and alcohol use disorder from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for a poorer outcome, assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Score. Results Of the 197 patients included, 156 (79%) were male, and 41 (21%) were female, with a median age of 49 years (IQR 38–58 years). In multivariate analyses, age ( p < 0.001), the occurrence of a new neurologic deficit ( p < 0.001), the development of hydrocephalus ( p = 0.005), and CT-graphic midline shift due to intracerebral hemorrhage ( p = 0.008) emerged as significant predictors of a worse outcome (GOS 1–3). In addition, the level of blood alcohol concentration correlated significantly with the occurrence of seizures ( p = 0.009). Conclusions Early identification of risk factors in patients with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury is crucial to improve the outcome. In this regard, the occurrence of hydrocephalus or seizures during the inpatient stay should be considered as cause of neurological deterioration in this patient group.