Keywords
hospitalizations
public health
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem
worldwide, having a significant impact on the health status of the population and
generating important consequences from a social and economic point of view.
The specialized literature highlights the fact that consumption patterns are
influenced by a complex interaction of economic, cultural and educational
factors. In this context, the World Health Organization considers alcohol
consumption one of the main risk factors for premature mortality and disability,
emphasizing the need to implement effective prevention and control measures.
OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations
associated with alcohol consumption in Romania, according to age, territorial
distribution and temporal evolution.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective, descriptive study was
conducted, based on the analysis of secondary data from the database of the
National Institute for Health Services Management (INMSS). All hospitalization
cases registered in Romania during the period 2023–2025, with alcohol-related
disorders as the main diagnosis, identified by the codes from the RO-DRG
classification, derived from ICD-10-AM, were included. The following diagnostic
categories were analyzed: acute alcohol intoxication, harmful use of alcohol,
alcohol dependence syndrome and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For each
diagnostic category, the annual number of hospitalizations and the territorial
distribution of cases at the level of counties in Romania were evaluated, in order
to analyze temporal and geographical variations. The analysis was carried out on
the following age groups: 1–11 years, 12–17 years, 18–20 years, 21–30 years, 31–
40 years, 41–50 years and ≥50 years. The statistical analysis was descriptive and
included the evaluation of their distribution according to the reporting year, age
group and county of origin. The data were synthesized and presented in the form
of tables and graphical representations to highlight the observed trends.
RESULTS. The analysis of alcohol-related hospitalizations during 2023–
2025 revealed differences depending on the diagnostic category, age group and
territorial distribution. Most hospitalizations were recorded in the age groups 21–
30 years, 31–40 years, 41–50 years and over 50 years. During the analyzed period,
a general trend of decreasing hospitalizations for acute intoxication, harmful use,
dependence syndrome and alcohol withdrawal syndrome was observed, especially
among adults. At the same time, cases were also identified in the pediatric and
adolescent age groups, with variations in territorial distribution between counties
in Romania.
CONCLUSION. Alcohol consumption continues to represent an important
cause of hospitalization in Romania, affecting mainly the adult population, but
also being present among adolescents. Although a general trend of reduction in
the number of hospitalizations for the main diagnoses associated with alcohol
consumption was observed during the period 2023–2025, the persistence of cases
and territorial variations highlight the need to strengthen prevention, early
detection and intervention measures, adapted to age groups and regional
particularities.