Mortality Rate Among Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder with Two or More Readmissions to the Hospital

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to a significant burden worldwide. Increased hazardous alcohol consumption has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic raising concerns for greater impact of this already prevalent serious medical condition. METHODS: We conducted chart reviews and described demographic and clinical data for patients with two or more hospital readmissions from June 2020 to July 2021 and followed survival status through June 2022. RESULTS: We found a high mortality rate of 10.3%. Most patients had psychiatric conditions listed in the chart (n = 70, 80%). Only 34% (n = 24) of living patients and 6% (n = 1) of deceased patients were under psychiatric care. Rates of the utilization of medications for alcohol use disorder were low (n = 23, 26%). INTERPRETATION: We found high mortality rates in patients with two or more hospital readmissions with low rates of utilization of medications for alcohol use disorder and psychiatric care, thus identifying areas of potential improvement.