Impact on ICU mortality of moderate alcohol consumption in patients admitted with infection

Purpose: Alcohol dependence is associatedwith poor prognosis in the intensive care unit (ICU), but it remains uncertainwhether moderate alcohol consumption negatively affects the prognosis of critically ill patients admitted with infection. Materials andmethods: In a prospective observational cohort study performed in 478 patients admittedwith documented infection, mortality at day 28 in the group of abstainers and nontrauma patientswith estimated alcohol consumption lower than 100 g/weekwas comparedwith that in non-alcohol-dependent patientswith estimated alcohol consumption between 100 and 350 g/week. Results: In 97 patients (20%), alcohol consumption was estimated to be over 100 g/week, and in 391 patients (80%), alcohol consumption was estimated to be 100 g/week or less. The pathogens identified did not significantly differ between the two groups of patients. After adjusted analysis, alcohol consumption between 100 and 350 g/week remained significantly associated with mortality at day 28 (hazard ratio (HR): 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.77; p =.04). Conclusion: Alcohol consumption between 100 and 350 g/week was independently associated with mortality at day 28. Our results suggest that in critically ill patients admittedwith infection, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a poorer prognosis. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.