Patient Trajectories for Older Adults Admitted to Hospital for Alcohol-related Problems

Alcohol is contributing to many health problems and disorders, as well as accidents and social problems. Alcohol consumption has been on the rise the past 25 years, especially in Norway. The highest increase is found in older adults, in line with the development in most other countries in the western world. Older adults have a higher risk for alcohol related health problems, due to age related physiological changes, medical conditions and medications. Still, alcohol use is seldom addressed for older people. This means that older people rarely receive help to change alcohol habits. Norwegian health authorities have issued mandates ordering the regional health trusts to implement strategies in somatic hospital wards, mental health services and drug treatment services to identify and treat alcohol and drug problems affecting the patients' health. In this observational study we will explore patient trajectories three years prior to and three years after an admittance to hospital where risky or harmful alcohol consumption is identified and brief interventions are delivered. Hospitals that have implemented such strategies are invited to the study. Patient trajectories are studied in national health registries. This will provide important knowledge on what characterizes the patients identified, and what happens after they have received a brief intervention related to a hospital admittance.

NCT Number	NCT04164940
Lead Sponsor	Helse Stavanger HF Collaborators: Helse Vest, Helse Fonna, Helse Møre og Romsdal HF, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Helse Sor-Ost, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust
Conditions	Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol; Harmful Use, Health Risk Behaviors, Alcohol Dependence
Enrollment	500 participants
Start Date	2019-10-23
Primary Completion	2023-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2023-11-24