Detection of Breath Alcohol After Oral Anti-Inflammatory Spray Use

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of ethanol-containing oral antiseptic sprays on breath alcohol levels and its relationship with time and body mass index. Materials and Methods: This study includes the results of 99 patients. Body mass index of each individual was recorded. Individuals were asked to blow into the alcoholmeter immediately after taking 8 puffs of oral antiseptic sprays and in this way, the breath alcohol concentration. 0th minute value was obtained. The measurements were repeated three times, at the 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes. Breath alcohol concentration values were recorded. Results: The median age of the patients was 34 (IQR 25-75: 28-42) and 55 (55.6%) of the patients were male. While the mean alcohol level measured at the 0th minute was 0.075 ± 0.013 promil, the mean alcohol level measured at the 10th minute was 0.001 ± 0.004 promil. A statistically significant difference was found between the alcohol levels measured at the 0th, 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes (χ²:288,762, p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between all groups in the pairwise comparison of alcohol levels measured at the 0th, 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that ethanol-containing sprays may exceed the legal criteria in breath alcohol measurements.

Keywords

• emergency department
• breath alcohol measurement
• oral antiseptic spray
• alcoholmeter
• bady mass index

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